Seeking Shelter

Monday has rolled around again....

I opened my Bible to the Psalms this morning...randomly...and these verses are what I read:

God is our refuge and our strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea....Psalm 46:1-2 NLT

If you've been following along with me, you'll know that I recently had periods of anxiety...anxiety that was so strong that walking through a door--yes, even thinking about walking through that door--brought me legs of rubber, shaking hands, a feeling in my chest that was overwhelming me.

This went on for several weeks.  Then, I met with some friends...we talked....we prayed about this situation....prayed blessings over this place.

Now...

I arrive.  I sit in my car and again pray blessings over this place.  Then, I walk on strong and steady legs to the door.  I put my key in the door but do not turn it.

Close my eyes...hand on the key...and say outloud--

"God, I need You to go before me into this place.  Walk in front of me and I will follow.  Guide me and lead me."

All I can say is--anxiety gone, pressures gone, and a feeling of peace has entered my heart and mind.

Thank You, God, for walking in front of me.  Thank You for leading me and guiding me.  Thank You for the peace that You have instilled in my heart and mind.  Let me be a shining light to others so that they can also experience Your peace.




strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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True and Faithful

I am joining Peggy for her 'Friday Focus'.  The promise of God that I am claiming as my own this week is:

365 Promises

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does..Psalm 33:4 (NIV)

God IS faithful.

God IS true.

God NEVER changes.

God NEVER lies.

God IS worthy of our trust.

I have had 'trust issues' for a great deal of my life.  My trust has been broken in relationships here on this earth time and time again. 

Words spoken into my heart and mind.....actions taken that hurt so much that I felt I could not function....

And these words and actions were lies about myself that I began to believe....untruths that I took into my very being until I felt that these were the truth....

Words that evoke feelings of :

SHAME

GUILT

UNWORTHINESS

BLAME

UGLINESS

BITTERNESS

And the list could go on and on...

In the devotional that goes along with this photo, the words are written:

If we struggle to believe that God's word is true and we cannot trust Him completely, then we are in effect doubting God's very character. Every time we question God's Word or His goodness, we are agreeing with the Father of Lies and the continual accusations he brings against God. Just as this would hurt an earthly father, I believe that it deeply grieves the Father of Lights.

I am happy to say that many of these lies and feelings associated with them have been broken....broken by healing through Jesus Christ....a long journey of prayer and listening to God's speaking the truth to me. 

My journey is far from over....will never be over until I see Jesus face to face....

And I pray the prayer that is written in the devotional:

My prayer today is that Holy Spirit would make us aware of the unbelieving thoughts that come into our mind and we would break any power of agreement with them, for the Word of the LORD is right and we can trust everything that He does!







strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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Puzzle Pieces

I'm joining Peggy for Soaking on SONday....

It's really simple and easy...perhaps you would like to join in?  Just post a Scripture, a song, something that has touched you....something you would like to share and soak in today....

Sometimes I think too much....

Sometimes my mind is not still for a second.....

Sometimes I dwell on the past.....

Sometimes I feel put upon by others....

Sometimes I feel lonely....

Sometimes I think my life has not been fair....

Sometimes I think my life has been one trial after another.....

Sometimes I wonder if people believe that all that has happened in my life is true....

And sometimes all of this adds up to becoming sad....which leads to the anxiety, the worry, the depression, the tears, the emotional mess...

So, I come to You today....my Jesus....my Savior....to give all the mess to You to handle....the mess that is me....

I come to You in pieces.....broken again.....I am puzzle pieces in Your eyes....

Because only You can make me whole.....and You will take this broken vessel and use me for Your glory.

Thank You, Jesus, for calling my name, for choosing me, for saving me, for loving me enough to see me not as I am today...but who I am to become.....whole and blessed in Your eyes...

 

strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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Knocking At The Door

I am a day late again!!  It seems to be very difficult for me to post on Friday after a long week...

But, as Grandma said:  "Better late than never!"....I'm sure a lot of Grandma's had this saying...

I am joining Peggy for her Friday Feature.  I have chosen these verses from the many of the promises God has given us. 

365 Promises

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?...Matthew 6:25-26

And these verses go on to say:

Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.....Matthew 6:27-34

If you've been reading along with me, you'll know that I have been having a lot of anxiety and worries over some situations in my life....anxiety to the point that it almost feels debilitating. 

I have been in this place before....about a totally different situation.  But, this worry and anxiety is not the way God wants me to live.  He wants me to be dependent upon me....seeking Him first....and He will supply exactly what I need to go from day to day. 

As I was contemplating upon these verses, a memory was brought to my heart and mind. 

I was a young girl...perhaps 8 or 9 years old.  I am in church on a Sunday, and it is so hot...just like the days we've been having now.  We had no air conditioning, only fans that were supplied by a local funeral home. 

These fans had pictures on them, and my fan on that very hot day had this exact same picture:

I'm sure that many people have seen this picture--Jesus knocking at the door. 

If you will notice, the door has no handle for Jesus to open the door and come inside.  He is waiting on the other side for us to open the door to our hearts, inviting Him into our lives. 

These verses from Matthew--they are Jesus speaking--speaking to each one of us:

Invite me into your life--I am here for you--don't worry about these things--I can take care of all of these and more--you are My child and I love you....

But, we have to make the choice, open the door, and rest in the assurance that God has the power and strength...will give us the strength through Him and not ourselves....

No, worry will not add a single day to our lives.  In fact, worry will more than likely take away a day or more of our lives.

So, why not give it to God and let Him handle all of these things?  He is so much more capable than I am!!



Strong as a lion; weak as a lamb

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Weak Yet Strong

Yesterday after work, I headed over to see two friends...very dear friends....and we talked and prayed about all that is on my mind. 

Wonderful, calming, peaceful.........interspersed with laughter and tears....words of wisdom and love from God....

I left their home, listening to the radio as I drove.  God often speaks to me through music, and I heard a song that I had never heard before.

The chorus of  this song, "Taste and See" by Jason Allen Rich stayed with me through the night and into this morning:

 

I want to taste and see That the Lord That the Lord is good And I want to be strong like a lion But weak like a lamb And I want to be Your child Broken and broken and broken again

As I listened to this song--these words in particular--an image came to my heart and mind....

along with these verses from God's Word to fill my very being:

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.......2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Yes, I will be weak like a lamb.  I know the Good Shepherd, and He knows me....calls me by name...tenderly caring for His flock...I hear His voice and I will follow.

And through my weakness, I will rely on the strength of the lion....and my weaknesses will be made strong by His power and not my own.

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Feelings

It has been a long weekend.......

And here it is, Monday morning, and I'm now wondering how these two days flew by.  Funny how when I was living in the past two days they seemed to drag on and on, but now looking back they seemed to go so fast. 

To try to take my mind off the anxiety and nervousness feelings I've been having, I started a baby blanket for my cousin's daughter.  She is expecting a little girl in November. 

I thought I would make her something and send it to my cousin as a baby gift.  No pics yet...perhaps tomorrow. 

Keeping my hands busy seemed to keep my mind busy also.  So, the feelings were pushed down for the weekend (for the most part).

Now, Monday is here....I'm sitting here typing....my mind is going 1000 miles per second.....and I can feel it returning.

The anxiety....
The feelings of doom and gloom....
The constant shaking of my foot....
The fear of the unknown.....

I remember these feelings from long ago....

I thought I had dealt with all that was causing this, but obviously I have not.  I need to spend time in prayer with my Father...a deliberate time with Him...taking time not just to talk to Him, but to listen to what He has to say to me, show me....why this is happening, where I am to go from here. 

I know and have all faith that He can relieve this, but I need to be shown the way.  I need to seek Him more and more....let His peace come into my heart and mind....healing the wounds that are causing these feelings within me. 

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Seeking Calm

Today is Sunday...and I'm linking up with Peggy for Soaking On SONday...

I said yesterday that I was struggling with anxiety...fear of the unknown...how this is definitely not the way God wants us to live. 

So, I am wondering why I struggle so against releasing all of my fears and anxieties to the One who loves me the most...the One who is control....the One who knows and sees all....the One who can take my fear and anxiety and calm me with a touch of His Hand...a word from His Word....

Courtesy of Heartlight

 I need to soak in this verse.  I need to let God take control, completely surrender to Him. 

God often speaks to me through music.  This morning I actually did a Google search for "Christian music about releasing your fears to God", and this song was #1 on the search.

As I sat and listened...sang along...tears flowed to the point of sobbing...crying out to my God...seeking His peace, His forgiveness for seeking other things before Him....



And as I sat here, watching, listening, singing, crying....the calm and peace of my God filled my soul.....

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Restoration and Healing

I'm a day late....

I'm joining Peggy for 'Friday Feature'--claiming one of the many promises our Father God has given us as my own.

This week, this promise has been fulfilled in me:

365 Promises





For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds, declares the LORD. Jeremiah 30:17a (NASB)

These past two months have been a trying time for me....not feeling well...unable to eat many foods...abdominal pain which comes more than it goes....and the most trying of all is the 'not knowing' what is truly causing these symptoms.

Yesterday, I had a procedure which revealed the cause of my problems.  In the back of my mind, there was lurking the possibility that all of the symptoms put together could be a cancer growing within me. 

And I allowed this grow...bringing it to God, but not fully releasing this to Him....

I was to be at the hospital at 8:30 for a procedure at 10 a.m.  I was up early, couldn't sleep, and the anxiety that came with these thoughts, the procedure awaiting me, the outcome of the procedure...well, I'll just put it simply...I felt overwhelmed with anxiety.

I was alone in my home...no one to talk with to help focus my mind elsewhere...

Yes, I prayed....prayed and prayed...and still the restlessness and feelings stayed with me.

At 7:30 a.m., my friend arrived...much earlier than expected.  And, she was an answer to my prayer.  She came into my home...we talked, and I told her how anxious I was feeling about this whole day. 

Just the telling of this to someone, helped alleviate my fears.  God sent her to me.....I could talk with her and through her being here, I felt the presence of God as peace in my heart and mind. 

Many wounds from my past have been healed through the blood of Jesus.  There are many hurts that have just been swept away. 

But, as all of us are...I am still a work in progress...still walking along on my journey....and how easy it is to slip and fall in the lies of the enemy...allowing him to steal my peace and joy. 

That is exactly what I was doing by jumping to false conclusions....worrying about the outcome of something that had not yet even happened.....

This is not the way God wants us to live...

He wants to be omnipresent in our lives....

He wants us to seek Him for comfort and guidance....

He wants to heal our hurts and wounds....

But, we have to seek Him.....develop our intimate relationship with Him...remain in constant contact with Him through our prayers and our everyday lives...ever seeking to be closer and closer.

Yes, I did have the procedure.

No, it was not the cancer I thought may be lurking there.

What I have is irritable bowel syndrome....not something that is enjoyable by any means....but, this is the best case scenario for the symptoms I have.

This can be controlled through medication, diet, and reducing my stress level.....

And yesterday, I gave thanks to my Father for my friend arriving early...her staying with me and supporting me through this procedure....her love for me shining through...

I gave thanks for the many prayers that were offered to God for me...

I gave thanks for the good news of my diagnosis, and God's powerful and mighty Hand steering my course.

Most of all, I gave thanks for Jesus...the One who sacrificed all for me.....and you.

For it is by His wounds that we are healed.

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Lead Me

Tuesday has arrived.....

For some reason, Tuesday seems to be the busiest day at my work.  I don't know why...thinking that Monday would be busier....but, this doesn't ever seem to happen.

So, I'm preparing myself for the day....giving this day, as all days, over to God--for His guidance and direction...and for me to be able to hear and sense His presence throughout the day over all the noisiness of this world.

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Closeness

First cup of coffee on the deck.....

I awoke earlier than usual this morning....probably because of all the sleep I had over the weekend....resting and healing.

Up out of bed, to the kitchen, coffee in hand and open the door to the deck.  Oh, no!!

My nose is 'assaulted' by an obnoxious odor!!  A skunk!!  A skunk has been visiting somewhere close by, and he let all of us know that he has been here!!

Miles came in after spending the night outside, and I thought to myself...."Hopefully, she wasn't skunked!"  I reached down, scooped her up....no, she's safe and odor free. 

It is already muggy outside....a kind of closeness that seems to envelop your very being. 

As I sat there...thinking about this closeness in the weather....I thought about how God wants to be close to each of us.  He is waiting for us.  He desires an intimate relationship with me and you and everyone in this world. 

He is patient and kind....and He will wait. 

I, for one, don't like to keep Him waiting too long.  God has blessed me in so many ways, and I am on a walk with Him...a walk that will never end until I see Him face to face. 

So, I begin my walk for this day...with God by my side...guiding and directing each and every step. 

Sometimes it's difficult.  I have found that my busyness through my day tends to distract me from this closeness.  I go through my day, and I'm sure there are missed opportunities....things that God is trying to tell me or show me that I have missed completely....

I don't want to miss these God-given opportunities.  I don't want to miss His whispers to me.  I want to feel Him close beside me every moment of every day. 

And I am back to the very same question I asked a few weeks ago:

How is this possible?  I walk out my door...into the world....and sometimes I don't have a minute to think or feel....just move on what I've done in the past....through my entire day until I get in the car to come home again. 

My prayer for today:

Father God,

Draw me close to You--so close that I feel Your presence within me during each and every moment of this day.  Fill my heart and mind with Your thoughts and guidance for my day.  Help me to see all that You have to show me.  Help me to hear each whisper into my heart and mind. 

I pray that the distractions of the day do not lead me away from You, but towards You.  Help me to take each thought captive and turn the thought into a prayer--a blessing upon others rather than being negative or cutting. 

Lead me, bring me close and keep me there.....

I pray all of this in the powerful, mighty, strong, loving and most precious Name of Your Son, Jesus....

Amen

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Head to Heart

I'm linking up today with Peggy for her Friday Feature .

The verse I've chosen for this week is Jeremiah 31:3:

 

365 Promises

Just to fill you in a little....my brain has known this fact--this promise from God--that His love for me will last forever, no matter what--for a long time.

My head knew, but my heart did not.  I memorized this verse long ago--along with many other memorizations  required by my church.  Memorize, repeat back verbatim, then you could move along in your "journey" to the next step.  Memorize, memorize, memorize. 

All of this information stored in my brain.  And that's where it stayed for many, many years--my brain. 

So, though I had all of this head knowledge, I did not have heart knowledge. 

What changed this?  What moved this love of God for me from my head to my heart? 

This happened when I had no where else to turn...no where else to go...

Bitter, angry, mean, jealous, hard as a rock...these were terms you could use to describe me.  I moved through life just trying to get by...just from day to day with no real purpose except to survive another day....I felt dead inside...emotionless....

When someone suggested to me that I attend their church, I brushed them off.  I felt that God had failed me in so many ways, and yes, I was angry at Him, too. 

This friend didn't give up though...didn't berate me for saying that "yes, I would meet her" and then not showing up.  She just asked again...and again....and again....

Until finally, I thought to myself that she's not going to stop asking and bugging me about this until I go...so I may as well go and get it over with....just so she stops...

That Sunday service...this song was played....and the Spirit moved within me...worked against all the bitterness and anger....worked in a huge, powerful, stirring way.

I do not claim to understand the mysteries and ways of God. 

All I know is what happened on that day.....

On that day, my head knowledge moved to my heart and settled there.  I felt God's love for me....I felt drawn closer to Him.....I felt peace and joy like I had never felt in my entire life.  The bitterness, anger, jealousy for others who seemed to have an 'easier life' was swept away....I had been cleaned by my God....covered in the blood of Jesus who died for me.

Yes, God's love is a "forever love".  This love is not dependent upon us "doing" something spectacular.  All He is asking is that we accept His Son, Jesus, as our Savior...and love Him in return.

It is a choice...God's free will allows this choice...to love Him or not.  He is not a pushy, demanding God....but, rather wants us to come to Him freely.

Yes, I was broken at that point in my life.  I have been broken since then....and I will be broken again.

But, knowing in my heart that God's love lasts forever....I can give my brokenness to Him....and He will show me the way....guide me along....restore me to a wholeness that would have never been possible without being shattered first.

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A Labor of Love

Sometimes I think....sometimes I don't...

I've had  Cara's dog, Nika, visiting with me since Sunday.  She comes to my house to rest.  Cara's household is busy, and this little dog rarely sleeps there...even to the point of checking everyone while they are sleeping. 

I was to return her home on my way to work yesterday.....got ready for work...gathered all her things....walked out the door....locked the door...got in the car and drove off.  I'm driving down the road when I realized that I didn't have the dog!!

By that time it was too late to turn around and go back to retrieve her.  So, another night at my house....another day's rest for Nika....and hopefully, I'll remember to take her with me this morning.

On to an unfinished project--

I mentioned about a week ago that I have a dresser...a dresser which was given to me when my son was born.  This dresser belonged to my grandmother's sister--she had three sisters, I'm not sure which one this belonged to, but I think it was my Great-Aunt Edna.

How old does a piece of furniture have to be in order to be considered an antique? 

Anyway, I have said for years that I am going to refinished this dresser:

I have had every intention of doing this since my son was born--30 years ago.  I'm sure it was never touched when my mother had this or her aunt before her. 

As I'm thinking about doing this...a big undertaking...I'm thinking that this will definitely be a labor of love....restoring an old item to new....a stripping away of the old and replacing this with a new finish....taking the tarnished brass drawer pulls and shining them to brightness....

This verse is brought to mind:

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit....2 Corinithians 3:18

Our God loves us enough to accept us as we are at this very moment.  But, He doesn't leave us this way...we are constantly being nudged by the Holy Spirit...the very Spirit of our Lord...to be transformed into Christ's image...a stripping away of our old selves...sometimes small pieces at a time...

Which is why I think I'll start with one drawer and move on from there....

Again....I stand amazed....

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I Am A Lamb

I have always had trust issues in my life....starting from when I was very young.  Trust....how do I trust someone who has hurt me?  How do I trust that this will not happen to me again?  How do I know that the person is telling me the truth when there have been so many lies?  Questioning....always questioning...is this the truth? 

Before I knew it, the mistrust of one or two...even three or more people....extends itself into the mistrust of everyone.  And then I find myself living a life of solitariness, anxiousness, worrying, confusion, panic attacks.....afraid to trust because of past hurts. 

And God began the healing process....

Learning to trust God was not an overnight miracle for me.  This was a series of answered prayers....me understanding that this truly was God in control (not me).  Hearing God's whispers to me...accepting God's truth into my life....His faithful promises spoken to me....His love and care for me....He is the Good Shepherd and I am His lamb....The Sheperd cares for His lamb....the lamb knows His voice and follows....allowing His goodness and protection to overflow.....because the lamb trusts the Shepherd. 

In my counting of God's gifts to me, this trust grows and flourishes.  I sense God's presence more acutely in my life through these gifts--I hear God speaking to me as I look and see...hear...smell...taste...feel...

As the list grows, my trust increases, my joy overflows to others, peace and love are always present in my heart and mind.

62.  Four kids in a bright orange paddle boat...going around in circles....laughing

63.  The smell of honeysuckle

64.  Soft breezes rustling leaves

65.  Lydia saying "love you"

66.  "I was thinking of you"

67.  Shoes tapping on hardwood floors

68.  Soft cotton between my fingertips

69.  Iced tea

70.  "I will never forsake you"

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."....Psalm 91:1-2

There are hundreds and hundreds counting their gifts from God.  To view those who are sharing their blessings, just click below.  Amazing....

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God Whispers

These were the most awesome clouds...taken a few weeks ago.  The colors just took my breath away!!

And the moon on that same evening.  I don't think you can see them, but there are firelies all among the trees--flickering on and off. 

Two cats--Scout and Miles--lounging....

My daylilly--which finally bloomed!!



Lydia, Jackson and Brooklyn--one of the very few times that actually sat yesterday....

Yesterday was hot--over 90 degrees--and very, very humid.  We cooked outside and ate inside.  Lindsay took command of the grill, and she was drenched by the time she finished.  I would have taken a picture of her fanning herself with a paper plate, but she declined this opportunity. 

Brooklyn did ask "if this a cook-out, why are we eating inside?"  I told her that we did "cook out", but that it was just too hot to eat outside...that some of us are old and prefer air conditioning.

Which led to the discussion of all of our ages....she checked out Lindsay and Cara's age....which she could accept since they are about the same age as her mom. 

She then proceeded to ask me how old I was.  I countered this with "How old do you think I am?"--a loaded question to be sure.  She said she thought I was 50. 

Close quess, but when I told her that I was actually 57, her response was "WOW!!  That's almost into the 60's!!!"  We all laughed.

Brooklyn and Jackson came into our family along with Andrew's girlfriend, Danielle.  We love and enjoy them so much--very active, fun-loving kids.  For some reason, they both have decided to call me "B"...just "B"...and I kind of like this...

A good day, to be sure...and Lydia, upon getting ready to go home, said to me in this order....

Kiss

Hug

More kisses

More hugs

Love you (which really sounds like 'of you' since she is still having a bit of trouble with "L's")

The very best part of this day was this:

All of my kids and myself together once again--no harsh words, no mean looks, no tears, no one leaving in frustration or anger--just all of us together--enjoying each other's company. 

What a change can be made in our lives when we listen and obey as God is whispering into our hearts and minds......

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Emotion Filled

Sometimes I feel an overwhelming sadness.  I don't know why...this just happens.

This sadness came upon me yesterday afternoon....carried through to the evening.  I didn't sleep well last night....couldn't go to sleep for quite a while....heard strange noises....up and down to investigate these noises....my outside motion sensor lights came on for no reason and stayed on for 15 minutes....back to bed....try to sleep....which finally came around 1 a.m.  Now, I am awake at 4 a.m., up for the day....and still the sadness.

It's okay...the sadness will lift. 

I know that sadness is an emotion...a true feeling....an emotion that God has created.  So, perhaps He has something in store for me today....something that will take the sadness from me.  This may be something simple...a bird, a flower, an encouraging word.

I have given the sadness to God, and I know--have faith--that He hears my cry.  Even if I don't truly understand the reason, God does, and He will care and tend to me. 

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Up-Down

I have to tell you that I am a little frustrated...

I tried yesterday afternoon and again this morning to leave a few comments here and there....and I keep getting directed back to the sign in page when I am already signed in!!  So, I have not been able to visit any one, and this is a little frustrating...

Today, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite pictures:

This is my youngest daughter, Lindsay; my granddaughter, Lydia; and in the upper corner--there is what is commonly referred to as my "granddog", Nika.

Lindsay and Lydia were playing "Up-Down"...a simple game....where Lindsay and Lydia say "Down" and then stoop to the floor...then "Up", and they jump up.  This goes on and on and on until they are both laughing hysterically.  This picture is taken after exhaustion had set in--Lindsay kissing Lydia, Nika kissing Lindsay...and they are laying on Lindsay's kitchen floor. 

All of this attention focused on one small child from a young girl who before Lydia was born said, "I really don't like babies."  Shows how feelings can change.

At one time, there were 4 adults and Lydia playing "Up-Down" in my living room.  It's amazing to watch...Lydia will just walk up to one person and say "down" and stoop down, and then she will wait...in that stooped down position...until someone gets up to play.  She doesn't whine, she doesn't cry....she only does this once.

It's hard not to resist a child who just wants your attention and love.  And before I knew it, there were four adults and Lydia going up and down in the living room....something simple...yet so much fun and laughter....and it doesn't cost a dime.

And isn't this the way it is with our God?  He waits so patiently on us.  He wants us to communicate with Him.  He wants us to walk with Him, talk with Him, laugh with Him, cry with Him. 

He knows each and every thought we think, each word we utter...yet, sometimes, He is waiting for us to cry out to Him....to tell Him what is bothering us....what we in such a tizzy about....just what is on our minds that is distracting us from Him. 

Just like Lydia--in her stooped position, saying "down", humbly stooping before a person she wants to play with....shouldn't we stoop down, be humble before our Lord, and just cry out to Him exactly what the problem is? 

We are His children, His lambs that He tends and cares for.  Shouldn't we be paying more attention to Our Father who knows what is best for us?  Shouldn't it be hard for us to resist His attention--just as it is hard to resist Lydia seeking attention?  And yes, it doesn't cost us a dime--but it cost Him a great deal--the sacrifice of His Only Son--our Savior, Jesus--who died for each of us. 

Today, I pray that I am more aware of the Holy Spirit's leadings--for this day--moment by moment--as I go through my usual routine--and I pray that I am able to pay attention and obey.

Beth

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