Showing posts with label heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heart. Show all posts

Grace - A Monday Devotion
A Perfect Peace

After hearing a relative talking about her family heritage and a father who had taught her what it meant to be a Christian I could tell that she was leaning hard on her own efforts for salvation.  This was not a surprise to me, given the background of our family's spiritual roots.  Even so, when it was said in the way that it was said it struck me to the core that this dear woman may not have the assurance of salvation that is so readily available to those who believe.  That breaks my heart.

The gift of salvation is a just that...a gift.  Not something we earn or strive to accomplish.  The work of salvation was done on a rugged cross about two thousand years ago by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  It was finished when having defeated Satan and Death He rose again declaring permanent victory and the elimination of sin's curse to all who believe in Him.  Our belief that on the day of judgement we will not get to heaven by declaring that we were a good person, that we did more good than evil or that we tried as hard as we could.  Our only acceptable answer on that day will be that we are hiding in Christ.  He paid the price for our salvation.  In Him our sins were dealt with and we are clean.  That is it.  There is no more.

But lets talk about the works that are so often confused for salvation, shall we?  These works are also gifts.  Given to us through the Holy Spirit as our hearts are changed.  We are told that we will bear fruit that will show ourselves and others that we are changed.  We are His.  I love that God grants us a visible turning from death to life.  That He molds our hearts to do His will.  The process of being sanctified is not always easy but it is so good for us.  In that process we become able to share with others and help them along the way.

Grace...unmerited favor.  

We do nothing to earn it.
We don't deserve it.

And yet...it is granted to those who believe...those He calls...those He justifies...those he glorifies.   We find this in Romans 8:30.  What an awesome chain of events.  It is ALL Him.  Not of us ....no cause for pride or boasting in ourselves.

How blessed are we?

In praise for His Grace in my life....Becky - Good Neighbors Candle Co.
6:58 AM | Category: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 comments

Revealing Our Hearts


“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:”

Psalm 139:23

If you were to come to my house unannounced, you would likely find dirty dishes in the sink or unfolded laundry.  Perhaps the floors need to be swept and I am certain there would be furniture undusted. I am not the best house cleaner in the world.  But I can make the place presentable when I know someone’s on the way, especially if I have enough time.   It might involve hiding things in closets and shoving items in a drawer but at least the house looks decent.  No one knows but me.
We recently moved and I got a close look at my house keeping skills – or lack thereof.  The crumbs and lost objects that showed up under the couch exposed my neglect.  There were a few too many dust bunnies behind the dresser where the broom had failed to reach.  And the grime beneath the washer and dryer was humiliating.  I had no idea that those monstrous machines, impossible to move, were hiding so much.
As I was cleaning up the mess, it made me think of our hearts.  Sure, we can put on a smiling face.  We can go to church each week, serve God, love our families, and be helpful to others.  But what is in our hearts - deep down - the part that only God sees.  Strip away the clutter of our lives: the busy days, the masks, the bandages covering old wounds – and what do we find? Are we harboring bitterness, anger, regret, doubt, or fear?  Many times we neglect dealing with these things.  Sometimes we think we have swept them out but do not realize we have only touched the surface.  Occasionally, we have deceived ourselves into believing they are gone or never existed. The Word of God tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” 
Perhaps we think that the bitterness, anger or doubts are too big and cannot be moved.  But we serve the Almighty God.  He knows and He cares. And nothing is impossible for Him.  Ask your Heavenly Father today to search your heart and to clean out the clutter and the cobwebs; the deeply buried bitterness, fears and doubts.  Ask Him to replace those with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”  Psalm 51:10

8:32 AM | Category: , , , | 6 comments

Ears of Our Hearts
AmenPrintables
I am a terrible singer. When I say that, people try to minimize that statement telling me they are sure I am no worse than most or that I am being overly critical of myself.  But I know it is not just being overly critical... I sing horribly.  After so many years at church, singing the worship songs I began thinking I was getting the hang of it.  I always close my eyes when I sing and try to focus on the Lord through the music.  The day I thought I could somewhat sing, I decided I could harmonize with the worship team.  I was fairly pleased with what was coming out of my mouth when I opened my eyes and saw two children holding their ears in front of me.  No, it was not a coincidence... they were giving sidewards glances of disgust!  I have not belted a song out since.But I still love to sing to the Lord (I do so quietly now). 

Olive Garden - heart
Recently I was singing (very timidly) with my eyes closed meditating on what it would be like to be at the throne of God singing praises to Him with the heavenly choir.  I asked the Lord if my voice would be pleasing to Him when I was was there.  (I so hoped it would.)  He gave me a beautiful response that I have been pondering on since.  He told me that He listens to the heart not to the voices.  That He hears us with the ears of His heart.  That He wanted us to hear others with the ears of our hearts.

When I think about listening to a person with the "ears of my heart" I think of focusing into the soul of the person.  So how do we do that?  We can't.  God can.  For a long time now, God has convicted me that each person I meet (whether I like them or not) is of special value to Him.  He loves them just as He loves me.  He called me while I was a sinner, loved me and forgave me.  He calls me to do the same for others.  I am not God and I still am a self-centered sinner so by my own means I am not able to hear beyond words... to hear the deep cries of the heart.
 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, Eph 3:16
Photo by MariaRoseCollection
What He taught me is that when I am talking to a person, I look into their eyes and pray: God you love this person as much if not more so than me. Love them through me.  That simple prayer has changed so many relationships that I am not able to express the power of it to you.  And now I will add to that prayer.  I will ask God to allow me to hear beyond the words into their hearts.

This past weekend at church when we did our hand-shake thing, I saw a dear friend who's husband has cancer in his throat.  She was pretty devastated as he could barely talk and not able to eat or drink plus undergoing of all the side effects of the treatments.  After the service I prayed with her but felt incredibly inadequate to have words of comfort for her.  As I prayed out loud with her, I was praying from my heart to the Lord asking Him to provide the comfort that was beyond me.  When we finished a woman approached and apologized for interrupting but her husband had cancer and it is 2 years now and things are looking good.  She gave wonderful encouraging words. I just praised the Lord for the comfort that she brought. 

by graceforgrace
Once we had finished talking and praying, I looked around and the church was empty except one young man (probably about 16 or 17) with kind of wild hair down to his shoulders, baggy shorts and t-shirt.  (I imagine if the apostles lived today, they would look much like him, they certainly would not be suit & tie guys.) As we walked out, he stopped my friend asking her if her husband had cancer.  She said yes.  He said God had spoken to Him and to tell her that he would be cured.  It is amazing how God listens to our hearts and answers through those who choose to hear with their hearts what He has to say!


But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”1Samuel 16:7
God bless!

Phyllis 
pfdoriginalartworks 


1:45 AM | Category: , , , , , , , , , | 10 comments

TRUE CHARACTER (Part 1)

SCRIPTURE

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.” (NLT)

THOUGHTS

The other day, I was looking at the new badge picture that I got at work. I remember the day I got it. Rather than the picture I took when I first hired in, this one was a “professional” picture! So I wore my best suit, had my hair done, and gave the best smile I could. I got the photo back and I had to look twice. “Is that me?” I looked like I could be a supermodel. No blemishes, perfect skin, even the earring that was stuck out, was now nicely tucked under my ear. The magic of technology lets anyone look like a model with enough tweaking, just like the devil can make things look like the right way to go. 
Men and Women today have a distorted concept of who they are supposed to be and what their greatest lure[asset] is. God gave us distinct roles and traits designed to work together in harmony. So let’s talk about what these lures are.

TRUE CHARACTER (Part 1)

Ladies first. What does the world say a woman’s greatest lure is? Well that badge picture the I was talking about earlier, beauty, is what the world says makes a woman, a woman. The more beautiful you are, the easier it is supposed to be to find a man, get respect, and have success. So women are constantly comparing themselves to the computer edited, makeup covered perfect women of magazines, and TV. But is this what God looks at? No, as the verse says God looks at the heart, and the heartly traits that He looks at is HER CHARACTER, not her LOOKS. The woman who demonstrates this the most is Ruth… so lets see what traits her Character was defined by:
1.       Hard Work
 “So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.”  ~ Ruth 2:3 (NLT)Ruth went and worked in the field even knowing the dangers of doing so for a widow in those days. And she worked hard. Notice in verses 5 and 6, Boaz immediately notices her and her hard work is noted.
 5 Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?” 6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7 She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.” (NLT)
2.       Humility and Gratefulness
10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.” ~Ruth 2:10 (NLT)Throughout her time with the harvesters she remained humble and respectful. She wasn’t prideful or selfish.
3.       Willingness to help others.
Ruth did what she did to help Naomi, in Naomi darkest hour. Her concern was never for herself but of others.
4.       Trust in God
 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” Ruth 1:16-17 (NLT)Ruth had an unwavering trust in God even when Naomi told her to turn back to the gods of her people. She had a personal relationship with God and she wasn’t going to let it go, no matter what was going on around her.
These defined her Godly Character, and it was this that attracted Boaz, not her looks, as the world depicts.  11 Now don’t worry about a thing, my daughter. I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are a virtuous woman. Ruth 3:11 (NLT)
It is these traits that define a woman who is after God’s own heart and is defined more in Proverbs 31. Are you being or seeking a virtuous woman… or are you seeking/being a woman of the world?

PRAYER

Dear Lord we ask that you open our eyes more fully to see each other as you see them, and not be blinded by what the world offers us. We know that you look at the inside rather than the outside. We also know that sometimes it becomes easier for us to look at and fix what is on the outside thinking we can hide what is going on inside. Lord touch us and guide us, filling our hearts with the traits we should have. Let our hearts and minds be open to you. Amen

Note: This is a two part series and it doesn't dive as deep as I'd like (devotions need to be short) but if you want me to make the series longer let me know :)
Till Next Time
God Bless
Amanda of Astrialegends

3:02 PM | Category: , , , , | 7 comments

JULY RECIPE OF THE MONTH: WORDS by Rita aka sammysgrammy

The recipe of the month is usually for something to put in your mouth. This month, it’s all about what comes out of our mouths.



Don’t you find it interesting that when God created, He just spoke things into existence. He didn’t get some lumber and a few nails, or even mix up potions in test tubes. He just said “let there be….” And there was.



He said, when He was about to create man, “let us make mankind in our image, after Our likeness and let them have complete authority over…………………..all the earth. Gen. 1:26



Like Him, in Whose image we are created, our words too, have power. Proverbs 18:21 reads, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…………”



liptile



http://www.etsy.com/listing/69660072/pink-lips-necklace-on-glass-tile?ref=sr_gallery_18&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=castteam+lips&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade



Isn’t that awesome power? We have a choice. We can speak life or death over others. Which would you choose? You can speak words that the Lord would speak over your children, your husbands, your boss, your pastor………………



You’re brilliant, I like you, you’ll win, I appreciate all you do for me, you’re fun to be around, you’re good company, I know you’ll succeed, you’re valuable, the Lord has wonderful plans for you, and on and on and on………..



Or death words: I don’t trust you, you’ll never make it, you’re a juvenile delinquent, you’ll probably fail at that, …………….





il_170x135_244861652words http://www.etsy.com/listing/74292829/inspirational-art-print-kind-words-green?ref=sr_gallery_17&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=castteam+words&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade



Matthew 12:34b – 37 (Jesus Himself spoke these words) “…whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart. And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. The words you say now reflect your fate then: either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.”



Prophesy blessing over your children, over your husbands, over your parents, over your siblings, over your friends…………..When you’re spittin’ mad and your old weak flesh wants to shoot darts, that’s when you want to go on a fast. Fast from saying what you want to say. You are in control of that. You don’t have to say it. You have a choice; to bless or curse. Choose life. This is the kind of fast you read about in Isaiah 58, the kind of fast God is interested in.





phone



http://www.etsy.com/listing/76825503/note-cards-set-of-6-white-poodle-on?ref=sr_gallery_4&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=castteam+phone&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade



James 3:2-5 …..but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way……….vs.4 A tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do.



il_570xN_233921115lips



http://www.etsy.com/listing/71661621/beauty-tip-sign?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=castteam+lips&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade



Resolve to think of your tongue as the rudder spoken of in James 3 which controlled the huge ship. This little (tongue) rudder controls the ship of your life. “Bless and curse not” Romans 12:14



Prayer: Psalm 141:3 "Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips."



6:00 AM | Category: , , , , , | 15 comments

February Recipe of the Month by sammysgrammy
by Rita of sammysgrammy



the FRANCES cookie

This is a "reissue" of a recipe I shared with you about a year ago. It's wonderful tasting, and easy to prepare and, depending upon how your dress it, can be quite a ***sTaR***. It's making a reappearance because of Valentines Day coming up soon, plus I just made a batch of heart shaped ones and will probably make a couple more before Valentines Day 2011 rolls around.

For those of you who didn't see it the first time, it's named after my Mother's next-door neighbor, who gave me the recipe. She was a wonderful baker and her house always smelled like something wonderful was happening there.

For the FRANCES cookie you'll need:


  1. 1 cup of room temperature margarine (2 sticks)

  2. 1 & 1/2 cups of granulated sugar

  3. 1 whole egg plus 2 egg yolks at room temperature

  4. 3 cups of AP flour

  5. 1/2 tsp. of baking powder

  6. 1/2 tsp. of salt

  7. 1 &1/2 tsp. vanilla

Put dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt) into a bowl and whisk together to combine thoroughly. In another bowl, cream together margarine and sugar with electric beater. Add eggs and vanilla to creamed sugar/margarine.

Add the dry ingredients in thirds to the wet ingredients, incorporating each addition of the dry ingredients. Depending on the power of your beater, you may need to mix the final flour addition in by hand. Knead this dough either in the bowl or on a floured counter top, into a silky, smooth ball.

I divide the dough ball with a pastry scraper into workable portions. Pat the dough portion (on your lightly floured counter) into a flat, pancake shape about 1/8 to 1/4" thick. Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Remove the shapes from the counter with your scraper and onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet about 3/4" apart. Gather up the unused dough and pat it out again. You may need to get another portion from the dough ball to make it the right size to pat out. The great thing about this cookie dough is: it does NOT need to be refrigerated, it can be used immediately and you can pat it out over and over again. Bake for 7-9 minutes in a preheated 375 degree oven.

Cool completely before glazing.

Glaze: note: I use the same parchment I used for baking as a table protection while glazing. Put 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar into a small, deep bowl. Gradually add hot water by the tbsp. to the sugar, beating vigorously with a wire whisk. Optional: add flavoring to this - i.e., lemon, orange, almond, or vanilla. You'll want the glaze to have the consistency of melted chocolate or gravy . Apply to cookies using a pastry brush. While the glaze is wet, sprinkle with colored sugar or nonpareils.

Pass around to your family, the neighbors, or bring to work (so you won't eat them all yourself)

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For several days now I've been singing the scripture, "I will love the Lord with all of my heart, I will love the Lord with all of my soul, I will love the Lord with all of my strength............" I've been waking up with that song permeating my consciousness. Years ago we sang it in "rounds" . One would start, "I will love the Lord with all of my heart", then while they continued on to the next verse ("I will love the Lord with all of my soul") the second group would sing the song from the beginning......and so on. What the Lord heard was the entire scripture sung at the same time.

This verse, Matthew 22:37, was Jesus' response to a lawyer (one well versed in the Mosaic Law) who asked Him, "which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Jesus' answer was " you shall love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" NKJV

When we sing that song or make that confession - "I love the Lord with all my heart", we are in effect, saying, with all my being, with everything in me.

The heart is a very powerful symbol. It is the core/center of our being, both physically, emotionally and spiritually.

*********************************************************

Fellow castteam-mates shops where you can find wonderful heart/valentine/love related items....

cupcake toppers by

http://www.cardsbycarla.etsy.com/




Red and orange heart pendant by:
http://www.blogger.com/www.helixelement.etsy.com



Heart trimmed boxers by: dogbarks

http://www.dogbarks.etsy.com





coke heart earrings by wildappledesign

http://www.wildappledesign.etsy.com




heart puzzle by newcreatioNZ

http://www.newcreationz.etsy.com


7:00 AM | Category: , , , , , , , | 8 comments

So Where is Home?
by Phyllis Ducey
pfdoriginalartworks


If you are a person like me, you may have been planted in one location for most of your life. I was uprooted several years ago (5 to be exact... actually I relocated my roots, no one yanked at them... except maybe God?) and now am working towards crystalizing the concept of home. Living in only two homes in one town for 30 years, I always felt rooted. When we moved from one side of town to the other I realized that the new house (and it was brand new) did not feel like home. After almost 6 months, one day I sat down in the living room and let out a sigh. I was home. (Up until then I always felt I was sitting in someone else's house.)

When we moved to the northlands of Minnesota, after being so long in one place I felt up rooted and worked hard to create "home". I put out my favorite decorations, painted walls, cleaned corners, and rearranged furniture every week or two while I waited. Waited. Waited. The sigh did not come from the house. It did come each time my grandkids arrived. And that was a sigh of blessing... of feeling like royalty, like I live in a grand palace!

There was a time in my life when I was very attached to my house and my possessions. I highly valued them and considered them very important to who I was. Not anymore. I realize they are pretty meaningless is the whole scheme of things.

The meaning of home to me has been changing.

I just got back from a trip to my home town area in Illinois. But though I did not stay in my old house, I was home. I went to my former church; my best friend sat next to me (felt like it was what I did every week); visited with old friends; and spent wonderful time with my family. I was at home... that sigh would ease out as I spent time with each person. I spent a good part of that week driving my 85 year old mom (technically mother-in-law) to places and even more time helping her with computer stuff (Yes, I said computer! She is quite impressive.) Being with mom is my home... all my family are my home, my friends are my home, and my church family is my home.

Home is no longer tied to a location for me.

And each version of home produces its own types of sigh. Some generate sighs of warmth, some of peace, some of joy, some of contentment, some of fulfillment, and some are occasionally of relief.

I now think that the saying "home is where the heart is" is very true. Family, friends, and church... that is where my heart is when it comes to this world.

Though there is a deeper sense of home that extends beyond what we experience here. The true home of my heart is with my Lord, Jesus Christ. When I am "with Him" I heave a deep, sweet sigh of relief. (That is when He is my central focus and I am spending my time in prayer and in His word.) He comforts, teaches, carries me through the good and bad, He creates within me that peace that surpasses all understanding.

"Now all has been heard; this is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl 12:13

Whenever I am with people who love the Lord, I am at home whether I know them well or have just met them. Because we are related through Christ we are brothers and sisters in the same family. It is a wonderful feeling to sit down with a total stranger and feel that special family tie... to feel that sigh slipping out because we are bonded.

"So in Christ, we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to one another." Rom 12:5

It is not unlike my Etsy CAST Team experience. We communicate and support one another because we all have that common bond... a love for Christ. If He is in our hearts and home is where your heart is... then we all share the same home. And one day, when we have left this earth, we will all be together with Christ.

"In my Father's house there are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Won't that be a great celebration? I think at that time my heart's sigh will be a song! (I bet I will be able to sing in tune!)
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Ps. Wow...we are already in the middle of July! When I started writing my weekly posts I made a commitment with the Lord to do this for a year. You will find that many of my writings contain similar themes (usually with a different bent). Often I intend to write on one subject but seems that (I pray as I write) the Lord changes my direction (and often the whole subject). A while back I wrote a post that works well with today's. Click here if you are interested in viewing it: "Desires of the Heart"


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July is traditionally our six month warning that Christmas is just around the corner. Here are some wonderful items that somewhat relate to today's post. These shops have some talented artists. Check them out!




11:00 PM | Category: , , , , , , | 10 comments

Heavy Heart
by Phyllis Ducey
pfdoriginalartworks




There are days my heart weighs so heavy I wonder how my body can carry it around. I listen… and people share. They share their heartaches: a cheating husband, an impending divorce, an abused child, money issues… oh so many money problems. Health issues: cancer, surgery, allergies, flu, autoimmune system problems, depression, chronic pain. Interpersonal problems: meddling parents, non-listening children, drug abuse, teenage pregnancies, alcohol addictions… the lists are endless. Oh my goodness, those are just the tip of the ice berg. I have not even touched on the world issues such as hunger, diseases, natural disasters, man-created disasters….

Have you ever been so overwhelmed you could not even pray? What is the use? The world just keeps going and gets worst by the day. What can my little prayer do? Why would God even listen to me? Is He a God who interacts with us or is He just the great chess player in the sky?

How do I reconcile all these questions, doubts and concerns in order that I can continue to function and have peace, even joy in life? I may not have answers and may have more questions than I have paper but I have peace. The peace comes from the Lord. It comes from trust. In God’s word it tells us that he who is faithful in little things will receive much.

"Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."
Matt 25:21

I found it worked that way with my relationship with the Lord too. As I began to acknowledge how God was being faithful to me in little things, in spite of my sins, I began to trust Him. I was not an instant truster (I don’t think that is a word but it works for me). I saw God answer prayers before I was convinced that I needed Him or really wanted Him in my life. I knew He was there but was not convinced He cared about me.

"What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Not at all!"
Romans 3:3,4
One night I was at my sister’s house in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and we got a call that my dad was in the hospital in Arkansas with a gall stone. We decided that we would travel down there (an 18 hour drive) after he came home from the hospital to help my mom with him. I thought it would be best for us to head home the next day which would put us 6 hours closer. I remember that night clearly, it was beautifully peaceful with crisp air, a bright moon and lots of stars. I was out in my sister’s back yard (40 + acres) loading the van praying for my dad halfheartedly (because I doubted God really cared about gall stones nor was I convinced He was listening) when I felt something like a gentle hand on my shoulder. At the same moment I heard or felt a voice telling me I did not have to pray anymore, everything was alright because my dad had just died. Somehow this all was very comforting and reassuring. Strange isn’t it, being told your dad died but everything was alright and finding that comforting? But it was.

I walked into the house and told my sister we ought to call the hospital but did not tell her why. We called and it was confirmed my dad had just died moments before. This was such a strange event to me that I did not share it with anyone for years.

God was faithful to me even before I was faithful to Him. His comfort came before I asked for it. He is God, He does not need to prove Himself to me or anyone but He chooses to. Amazing, isn’t it? God chooses to reveal Himself personally to each of us.

"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son
and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
Luke 10:22

Have you seen Him do this? Have you felt His hand on you? If not, maybe you are not looking because each day, I see Him repeat His faithfulness in some way, shape or form to me. It could be in something as simple as the smell of a lilac, in the hug of my grandchild or the beauty of a butterfly.

The only times all those overwhelming burdens get to me is when I do not give them to Him. When it is all about me. Then I am “so weighed down” by it all that prayer seems useless. In reality, I am never “so weighed down” unless I choose to be. It is my choice. God has proven His faithfulness… it is I who need to accept the gifts He gives me… including the gift of peace – the peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that He knows the end from the beginning and He is in control. God tells us to pray about everything and He will give us peace.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phil 4:6,7

So I can give it all to Him in prayer and I pray because He tells me to… not because I feel like it but in obedience to Him. When I am obedient to Him, I am not weighed down. I find that joy. It infiltrates its way into my being... sometimes ever so subtlety, other times powerfully!

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