Even on days when things aren't going well, there is an inner joy I have that is hard to explain. It's like a little diamond in my heart that stays polished and glistening. It was part of me before I was born, but ignited in my twenties, filling a hole in my heart that no prior
human experience was ever able to fill. It had to do with discovering who I was, who I belonged to, and how much I was dearly loved in spite of anything I had ever done. I'm so thankful for that little diamond of great joy.
Galations 5:22-23 - But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
Sometimes I feel so exhausted. Yes, I am doing things I love. Yes, I'm accomplishing a lot - almost everything on my lists. Yes, I'm keeping up, almost. But sometimes I am spent. Totally spent. Like right now as my body forces me to rest with a nasty cold. How do I balance my life and avoid exhaustion? There is only one answer. I can't. But when I surrender all of this in my trust that I am not alone - I can operate from a state of rest, believing my Maker's hand is upon the things I am supposed to get done. He is My helper and my strength.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Psalm 61:2-3 - When I'm feeble and overwhelmed by life, guide me into your glory, where I am safe and sheltered. Lord, you are a paradise of protection for me.
I was thinking today about how I think. Wrong thoughts tend to creep in when I lose my focus of who I am and what my purpose is. Take these three words, for example. Today I want to strike them from my thinking and vocabulary!
Impossible - Because I know that with God - all things are possible.
Stress - Because God's promise to me is "be anxious for nothing but in all things, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.
Afraid - Because I know that perfect love casts out fear. I live in and under perfect love. Therefore I do not and cannot fear.
So there - You have my permission to call me out on these any time!
See Matthew 19:26; Philippians 4:6 and Ephesians 3:20; and 1 John 4:18.
Recently I was feeling overwhelmed. My brain was shorting out as I tried to remember all the little pieces of things I felt responsible for carrying out and completing. I wrote them all down. When I finished, I realized there were too many for one little me. Exasperated, I prayed: "What am I to do? How did this happen? Why do I feel this way? What can I do?" And finally, "What is my purpose?"
In an instant, I sensed God speak: "You were created to be loved by Me and to let Me love others through you." Period. No more. No less.
Today, let's narrow our focus; shorten our lists; and build upon that for which we were created.
John 13:34 - "Love each other just as much as I have loved you."
Every year I buy a fresh new planner and begin to create my perfect year with goals and strategies; dreams and hopes; prayers and pleas.
But I feel like this year my message to me is "Stop planning. Start doing."
There is comfort and safety in the planning, isn't there? It feels important, but has little power on its own. It takes legs and hands; a mind to create; and a heart to risk and have faith that we can and we will.
How do we break free of the planning and start the "doing?" Take one step today. Another tomorrow. Begin the task, type the word, buy the paint, make the call, find your team, meet one deadline. You are on your way! You CAN and you WILL because you are not alone! Go!
Habbakuk 2:2 - Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.
Proverbs 16:9 - In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
1 - Life is AWESOME!
2 - Wild moments are important before naps.
3 - Love is returned with more love.
4 - The world needs to laugh.
5 - Everyone needs a friend.
Proverbs 17:22 - A joyful heart is good medicine.
Here is our new Aussiedoodle, Daisy, saying "hello" to Allison, Patsy, and Dolly.
Even on days when things aren't going well, there is an inner joy I have that is hard to explain. It's like a little diamond in my heart that stays polished and glistening. It was part of me before I was born, but ignited in my twenties, filling a hole in my heart that no prior 
