Wisdom & Understanding

The refrain from this old hymn is flowing like a ribbon through my mind this morning:  Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.  Grace...God's free and unmerited favor (love) towards us. Grace that I could NEVER earn and yet as I truly submit myself, concerns, worries , anxieties to Him; as I willingly let it all go... sometimes without understanding the details...He will give us the necessities to navigate the journey and come out whole, matured, fulfilled and safe.  I don't know about you, but I need His Grace, I need His favor, His love directing me, encouraging me, consoling me and assuring me that I will make it through. His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8)...  When we hit a rough spot in life, we may think that the issue is with others, when it may just be about us. What is God trying to teach us, what is He trying to strengthen in us...what is He...

I have a story to tell... a true one...and it's mine, or at least a chapter of my story :-)... Yesterday morning when I reached into the cabinet to get a mug for my coffee, I was drawn to my "Fa La La" cup. Yeah I know it's not the season, but I felt like having a "Fa La La" day! What's a "Fa La La" day? Well to me it's a day when you let nothing get to you. An emotionally free day. 😏There are no perfect days course, but I planned "Fa La La one.  After doing some chores and errands, I decided to do something fun and for me that is a visit to the Antique Emporium. While perusing an aisle a woman passed me and said that she was looking for "canes". I had no idea what she was mumbling about but soon she found a container full of walking canes of which she chose an old wooden one. In her excitement of finding it, she turned to me and shared that she searches for these old wooden canes and refurbish them. At first I though...

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16  A few years ago when I saw these vintage wall sconces at a small yard sale, I was delighted. The metal leaves and glass candle holders was just the touch I wanted to add to a room for soft light at night. Light... no matter how softly it may glow, can be very comforting. The Bible says that for those that have submitted their lives to God, we are the light of the world. That we should not hide that light; that we should allow that light to shine, so that people in this dark world will see and turn to Him.  I often ask myself "Have I been a light today?" I confess that there have been times that I've blown it...was rude to uncaring customer service...

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..." Psalms 23:5  Most of us reading this are familiar with the line in Psalms 23 about God preparing a table for us even in the presence of my enemies. I was so used to reciting that Psalm automatically, I confess that I never took the time to study what that passage meant... Until I was preparing a table for my luncheon guests recently. I wanted it not to just be a time to eat, but a time of fellowship; a time of sharing with each other from our hearts. I wanted it to be peaceful, relaxing and permeating with God's presence. I wanted them to feel welcomed and appreciated... God loves us so much that even in the presence of our "enemies", our trials, struggles and difficulties that are raging war against us, He wants us to feel welcomed to come and sit at His table and fellowship with Him...to feel free to share from our hearts, to feel at peace with Him and to relax in His Presence. ...

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” -Corrie ten Boom  Worry...something that we all are guilty of...some occasionally, some are masters at it. Though we all worry in different ways and about different things, there is one thing that is common...Worry saps/drains you emotionally, physically and spiritually. It is a distraction that keeps you from seeing the "brighter side" and takes away your hope of possibilities.  We can lose so much time and energy by worrying about things that have not even happened and may never happen. Here is what Jesus has to say about it... “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of t...

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12  Dark, rainy and dreary day early this morning. I seldom turn on these lamps because generally this area is always flooded with sunlight...but this morning I needed to turn them on. The golden light emanating from these small lamps turned the gloomy foyer once again into a welcoming, cheerful area...  Amazing what light can do...not only drive out the darkness, but illuminate a perspective. Isn't that what happens when we invite Jesus in to a situation? If we allow it, He can and will drive away the darkness of depression, sadness or defeat AND give us a new,perspective on life. What seems dark, dreadful and foreboding CAN become full of hope with strength to move forward, as you allow HIS light to shine on you. Invite Him in today, no matter the dark, HE is ALWAYS brighter.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8  Anticipating warmer weather, I put some of my plants on the back porch and it was good timing. It really is only a 3 season room, so when winter is over, it becomes a place to sit, read, relax and meditate.  I am becoming the little old lady that dotes on her plants 😊 but really through the years I have learned how to take the day to day "drama" down several notches and just chill. So when I feel that the daily news becomes overwhelming, when what is going on in the world is nerve wracking I come aside, go out on the porch and "minister" to my plants. While watering, misting and trimming the leaves, I begin to think about the positive things in life. I admit so...