I have been in a terrible mood for awhile. I have been unkind in my mind and in my actions.
But, the Lord met me – when I chose to focus on Him and ask what I needed to see.
Holy Spirit, reveal to me people I haven’t forgiven and sins which I haven’t repented.
Whew! The list is long (and it continues to grow.)
But Spirit met me there with such tenderness and love.
Lord, continue to grow my faith and trust. Thank you for never being unfaithful.
Merry Christmas to all!
One week to Christmas! Are you excited? Thrilled with anticipation? Looking forward to time with family and friends? Singing Christmas songs while wrapping presents? Planning menus?
Or are you in a funk? Remembering that the season doesn’t live up to the ‘Hallmark’ hype? Not happy with the amount of presents under the tree? Wishing for more? Wishing for less?
I have been in a funk, for sure. But when I really focus on how I got here, it is pretty obvious.
I have been concentrating on what I DON’T have (or think I should have) instead of fixing my eyes on what I DO have.
What do I think I don’t have or I should have?
It’s not more presents (although I always like the unwrapping part.)
It’s not more get-togethers (although I enjoy seeing people but I don’t always spend my time with the people. Such a Martha!)
I know I would enjoy it if my kids/grands would come to church with us. I know I would enjoy it if they even acknowledged the invite.
I know I would love to give a thoughtful, personal gift to people that would be treasured and used.
What do I have?
Family and friends that love me and challenge me with truth.
A church that loves God and people and encourages me to do the same.
Health. Home. Work. Food. Clothes. Both for us and our kids and grands.
A daughter in law who did acknowledge my invitation to church and has visited in the past. A scheduled time for all of us to be together after Christmas.
I have a personal relationship with the God of the universe. He provided a way for my sins’ penalty to be paid. Now, I can live with Him in heaven for eternity.
And this relationship can be yours too. You can never ‘out sin’ God’s love.
God sent His Son, Jesus, to be born in a manger. He is Christ the Lord!
And if I focus on that, worship will come and the funk will disappear.
Thank you, Jesus!
It is the season of more commitments, more food and more to do.
It is the season of much traffic, school band concerts and shopping over your lunch break.
Many people in grocery stores. Much food to prepare. Many things to do.
My prayer for you (and for myself) is that we take a few minutes every day. Do this several times a day and really slow down. Think on purpose about the true meaning of Christmas.
God sent His perfect Son to be born in a feeding trough. He did this so that His Son might one day die to pay the penalty for my sins. Your sins.
This is the Light we need to focus on. This is the Bread of Life we need to consume.
Thank you, Jesus!
Have you ever had a near miss with a baseball, flying hockey puck or a car?
I have – all three.
I was protected and, in those instances, was not harmed.
Even last night, Tim and I were awakened by something falling. (Notice that it did not seem to bother Xena, the wonder dog.) Tim got up and walked around but didn’t notice anything.
We tried to sleep and I got some but Tim was out of bed before 3am.
Finally, I rolled out of bed and turned the light on. It wasn’t until then that I saw what had fallen. My canvas print of a Van Gogh masterpiece had leaped from the wall. Fortunately, the headboard caught it before it hit our heads.
That certainly wouldn’t have injured us. However, we definitely could have been hurt by the startling and jerking movements if it had hit our heads.
Once again, we were protected.
Sometimes when we pray, we thank God for what we don’t see. For the late start to the traffic which keeps us from being involved in an accident. For the ‘nudge’ to go into this store rather than that one that keeps us from overspending-overeating.
He protects His children.
Does that mean we are never harmed or hurt? Of course not. There will be (and is) trouble in this world.
There is much we do not see. But we can catch a glimpse of it if we keep our eyes fixed on what we know to be true.
Thank Him for the protection you do see and for what you don’t.
I came home from grocery store complaining about people in the grocery store.
I complained about unexpected things happening and ‘ruining’ my plans for the day.
I griped when the maraschino cherry juice spilled on the counter, the cabinet, the floor and stained my fingers.
Xena, the wonder dog, awakened me 5 times during the night to go outside. I guess her tummy was upset. I was not happy.
Shall we shift focus, please?
Lord, thank you for food and the money to buy it. Thank you for the variety of choices and the vehicles to get us to and from the stores. Thank you for safe travel.
Father, I pray for these seemingly angry people in the store. Perhaps they are missing a loved one, lost their job, or are going to be alone. Maybe I can only give them a smile. Please help it be sincere.
You, God, direct my steps. I make my plans but You have the final say. Perhaps the delay kept me from running into traffic. Lord, You know the number of my days. Help me to live for You.
Thank you for this house, Lord. I am grateful that I have a space to prepare and store food. I have a switch that changes from heat to cool quickly. Thank you that I can still move my body to clean things off the floor and to open jars. Thank you for your provision. I am also grateful for the people in the house.
And Father, I am thankful that Xena, the wonder dog, awakens me when she needs to go outside. I’m grateful that she has been the best dog and in my life for the past 10 years. I am thankful that she is feeling better.
Please, Lord, bless our time this afternoon with family and friends. Change my heart of stone to one of flesh. I think protecting my heart keeps me safe but that is a lie.
Living with and blessing others with the joy and light of the Lord is what this world needs.
And I want others to know You too. How can I show that with a callous heart? How can I show Your light if I want to be dim and dark?
Change me, O Lord. Thank You in advance. Give me Your words to share with others.
Amen.
I know you have been on the edge of your seat wondering what happened to my clutter (Clutter) and if I found more time (Enough Time.)
Before I dive into those answers, it’s currently 9 hours past when I normally post.
The books haven’t gone to the library but some things did go to Goodwill.
I spent 15 minutes or more searching for the leftover dip I made last night. I texted Tim and he said he didn’t take it. I knew I put it in the fridge. I even looked in my closet. (Tim actually took it with him. We were not communicating clearly.)
Do you know the answers now?
I kept a list of distractions that I chose to give attention to. It has many things on it. Keeping the list did cause me to make some good choices too. I turned my phone over when the group texts started coming in. I spent time reading instead of watching television.
However, I just chose to eat dinner instead of finishing this blog.
The struggle is real. 🙂
I have enough time to do what the Lord has called me to do.
You have enough time to do what the Lord has called you to do.
So why am I posting so very late in the day? Because I allowed distractions to become my priority. Sigh.
It’s an ongoing battle for sure! Sometimes the distractions are not my choice – the electricity is out, I become ill or injured.
Most of the time, I choose the distractions. My choices keep me from doing what God has called me to do.
Ugh. That one hits hard.
I usually write my blog on the Thursday morning it posts. I’ve tried writing earlier and sometimes I keep a draft but it has never been what I post that day.
Today I made some choices. I made an appointment at a car dealer. I could have made it any other time. But I chose to do it today.
I chose to scroll mindlessly this morning. There was no posting for the business (http://goGoddesigns.myshopify.com) or commenting on someone else’s post. Just looking at the prettiness that is social media.
Then I needed to rush to take a shower and eat and drive across town. My choices.
I’m going to keep track of my chosen distractions for a day. I think the number will shock me. Hopefully, it will shock me back to doing what God has called me to do.
What about you? Do you allow things to distract you? What kind of things?
I look around my office and am amazed at what I see.
Books, papers, packing tape, drop cloth, empty boxes, candles, deposited checks and a recipe guide for my NutriBullet. That’s just to name a few.
When I had a housekeeper (oh, what a blessing she was), she never cleaned my office. How could she?
I started going through the books on the shelves and took many to the library. That is a job I haven’t finished. (Hence, the empty boxes.)
I have had it cleaned and neat and orderly. I loved it when it was clean and neat and orderly. But, the clutter returns.
This happens in my mind too. I sweep out the unnecessary thoughts – the ‘what if’ scenarios which lead to sad places. I take control of the comparison thief and think on things that are lovely and worthwhile.
But, the clutter returns. I must regularly (continuously) sweep my mind and get it in order. Otherwise, I learn to maneuver around the junk effortlessly. I don’t realize how storing that trash becomes like a pet that I feed and am comfortable with.
Father God, please renew my mind. Spirit, show me where my thoughts are impure, full of comparison and general yuckiness. Help me to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, and lovely.
Now, I’m going to set a timer and get rid of some physical clutter too.
Believe it or not, in 62 days, 2026 will begin.
That doesn’t seem like that long of a time and yet, many things will happen.
Many will celebrate joyously and others through tears. Others will plan for the new year meticulously and some will throw up their hands in disgust.
There is always so much striving, it seems. “I need to…I have to… I must….”
When do we rest? When do we attain this mountain top of peace we hear about?
Psalm 62:5 – “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.” (NLT)
When my mind overwhelms my body, I quiet my spirit and think on purpose of things I know to be true.
God loves me. He created me and Spirit is with me. I am never alone. He hears me as I cry, question, reason, scream at Him. (He’s a big God and NEVER tells me I am too much.)
He is for me. My hope is in Him. There is tremendous sadness and hardship in this world. He grieves with us. I have to believe that He allows things to happen so His glory will be revealed. (If I understood that, I would be God and I am NOT.)
He is for me. He will guide and teach me. He directs my steps.
As I have said before, thinking on purpose is not always easy. But it can be done. Remind yourself of who you are and Whose you are. Rest in Him.
I did something totally outside my comfort zone last night.
I attended a community prayer vigil for a family I did not know. I was to serve at this event but, I was the one who was blessed.
A local wife and mother tragically lost her husband and two daughters at the same time. I can’t even imagine the grief and pain. It hasn’t even been a week.
Our city wanted to do something and people made it happen. Hundreds gathered at a local stadium to remember those lost and to support one another.
I learned about the family and how they loved each other and their friends. I also learned how they loved God.
Young people stood and read Bible verses and prayed. They all testified to the FACT that these three were now safe in the arms of Jesus. They were sure they were going to see them again in heaven. They spoke with confidence through tears.
People acknowledged their pain, their anger, their questions. But they also acknowledged God and His authority and the surety of salvation.
My heart was full. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
The pain, anger and questions are still there. But Jesus is too. Thank you, young people of Huntsville, for preaching the truth and spreading the gospel.
Reclaiming life - day by day and moment by moment. 