Life Goes On

What a joy it was to walk today. Fall has finally arrived here where I live, at least cooler weather has come. We don't have fall with changing leaves, or crisp temperatures. No we have fall with the wonderful cool breezes that blow in from the west and cool us down. It feels like fall to us and we are so grateful.

It has been more than a month since my last post. You would think by now that I would have a handle on some of the things I wrote about, but alas no. I have come to the conclusion that it was just a season like so many that came and went with many ups and downs. My life is no different than anyone else's and in fact is probably less stressful than some. I know one thing though that the enemy of my soul would like nothing better than to keep me focused on me and miss what God would want. How sad!! There are so many other truly more important things in this life to be focused on. Lord help me see what you see and respond!

After reading one of my favorite blogs this morning, I am challenged to remember in whom I believe and just how big my God is. My faith should be built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. (A phrase from an old hymn.) It is because of the cross that I live, it is because of cross that I can know that I am forgiven.

I get the joy of spending some time this evening with some old friends from high school. It has been years since we have had time to talk, visit, laugh and enjoy each other's company. I am looking forward to this, more from a stand point of wondering what God has in store than from just getting together with some old chums. I don't believe in coincidences, I believe in God ordained encounters. He goes where I go, and because of that there is nothing that is by accident. It should be a great, good time.

I guess the point of this writing is that life goes on. We can stand on the sidelines and watch and stay out of the fray, or we can jump in and take the ups with the downs and live. Paul said in Ephesians that Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly. I want it all....I don't want to miss a thing...I want to live!!!!!

Summer

Wow has this summer flown by. A trip to Texas with my mother, grand kids in and out each week, news of my son's impending marriage, our beloved pastors returning to the mission field, and our fledgling church suspending services. Car break downs, frustrating moments, an ill and aged uncle passing away under stressful and unpleasant circumstances has served to make me a depleted, anxious and emotional wreck. How I hate to admit this. How I wish I could be writing about the strength of God I turned to in this season and yet.... The truth of the matter is I did turn to God and am quite sure that had it not been for HIS ever present strength, grace, love and stability I would be in so much worse shape. Don't get me wrong, I shouldn't sound like it was all stressful with no joy, fun, etc. There were moments that were most rewarding and filled with joy, but I cannot escape the shape I am in right now and I know God is at work in me. This I know is a good thing. Though hard, good.

This has been an extremely challenging summer, one which I was not anticipating. I sit at this writing and wonder what exactly was I anticipating? Had I even thought ahead of time what this summer might look like? No, in fact like so much of my life it came on fast and didn't slow down, but picked up speed and before I knew it I was in the flow and couldn't get my feet down to stop, but just had to ride it out. I would never consider myself as someone who didn't have a handle on things, but this summer it seemed as though I was a spectator watching everything around me. I know, I have issues. Perhaps this is God's way of forcing me to see some of them. I am willing Lord.

I am working at reflecting on all of the above and hope in the coming days will have something to write down, "Heart Thoughts about why this happens to me." I am certain I am not alone. Hopefully in the writing there will come some clarity.

Holy Spirit of God I pray you will reveal to me in these next days, weeks, months your mind and help me to understand and to change that I might glorify you in all that I do.

Peace!!

Where does time go?

When I first started this blog I had great intentions of writing and finding a place to put into print my heart thoughts. Who knows what happened to the time, but it went and I am just now getting back to it.

I hate wasting time and yet when I look over my days it seems I have not been nearly as productive as I had initially hoped to be. I could hang my head and say woe is me what at worm, or I could say wow, look at what I did do. I think we are so hard on ourselves that we miss the very thing God would want us to see. As always it becomes about me instead of about HIM.

My prayer today is not to see that I wasted time, but to see what I did do with my time. Like spending precious moments with my grandkids at the local pool. Tossing the ball for the dog to chase after and listening to that still small voice. God help me to glorify You today with all that is within me. Make my time count.

blogging - where do i begin?

Every now and then I want to write something from my heart. I know no one really is terribly interested, but maybe someone will be encouraged, or helped, or entertained. Since I have never done this before, it will be an adventure for me and for you if you are reading this. I trust you will allow me a little grace as I am just getting started.



"Heart Thoughts" seemed to be the appropriate name for my space on cyberspace. I was asking God for His imput and that is what came. I pray that He will hold me true as I endeavor to put down in print what is weighing on my heart, or what I feel I have learned. Also, what a great place to share with others out there the truths that God gives, the joys and sorrows of our everyday life.



So, I will be catching up with you later with some thoughts from my heart.