Counting thanks...

At the end of the day, when I'm so tired and the day seems to have been so long...so easy to just go to sleep and be done with it.  And yet, it's the right time to remember and focus on the blessings of the day...to say thanks...to breathe in gratitude...and so...counting graces....

115. unwrapping forgotten "treasures" to decorate for spring
116.  being asked for my ID when ordering a bottle of wine - 44 years young!  :)
117. a wonderful dinner and conversation with a beautiful friend and mentor, who is truly a gift from God
118.  inspiration to write - it's been a while and it felt good to share
119.  laughing with Kira while driving her to school today
120.  re-connecting with a friend
121.  gift of a "lucky" bamboo plant
122.  flowers from my sister on a rough day

3 gifts in the kitchen
123.  a new mug that reminds me of the love of a friend - and God's grace
124. not having to cook dinner tonight - a gift from another kitchen!
125. quiet moments just to stand and look out the window

3 gifts loud
126. lovely music from the EWU wind ensemble
127. the trombone choir - wow!!
128.  Christian music on the stereo to keep me awake driving home late at night

129.  an evening out to spend in fun and fellowship - fiesta!
130. hugs and snuggles with my godson, Cammie
131.  sitting next to my godson, Matthew, at dinner

132.  talking to my Daddy on his birthday

3 gifts in Christ
133. peace that passes all understanding
134.  His love that surrounds me and fills me daily
135.  redemption

136.  watching my son being blessed by his friends - Party at Kyle's!  :)
137. enjoying the noise and bustle of teenagers partying at my house - and the subsequent quiet afterwards!
138. a comfortable evening watching movies with Kyle.

139.  playing bells at church!

3 gifts read
140. the story of Esther in service today - I love her example
141. notes of encouragement from a friend
142. Psalm 77

143.  fellowship with friends for an hour today
144.  anticipation of a new Bible study - getting ready to start Beth Moore's Revelation study
145. a pleasant evening laughing and talking with the kids.
146. creating open space in my house - little spots of peace!

Faith Reaching Beyond the Present

So, back to Psalm 77...

We left Asaph wondering where God was...why He was so silent.  Asaph was feeling a little forgotten, alone, overwhelmed.  He was experiencing sleepless nights, lying mute in his bed, moaning to God, laying bare his heart.  How many nights, how many hours might it have been?  Perhaps in the wee morning hours when the dark is just beginning to let go of the world, Asaph lifts his eyes upward and remembers....

¹³ Your ways, God, are holy.
   What god is as great as our God?
¹⁴ You are the God who performs miracles;
   you display your power among the peoples.
¹⁵ With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
   the descendants of Jacob and Joseph. 

Do you feel that?  Do you feel those little rays of hope coming through Asaph's thoughts?  Our God is great, He performs miracles, He displays His power, He redeems his people.  He provided ways out for His people....and even when they grumbled and sinned, He still provided for them.  Always.  Without fail.  He never left them.  And He does the same for us....

 ¹⁶ The waters saw you, God,
   the waters saw you and writhed;
   the very depths were convulsed.
¹⁷ The clouds poured down water,
   the heavens resounded with thunder;
   your arrows flashed back and forth.
¹⁸ Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
   your lightning lit up the world;
   the earth trembled and quaked.
¹⁹ Your path led through the sea,
   your way through the mighty waters,
   though your footprints were not seen. 

Read those words again.  Out loud.  Visualize the awesome power of the convulsing depths, the flashing lighting, the waters fighting against themselves as they separate...feel the trembling of the earth as the thunder rumbles, as a path appears between walls of writhing water....

Asaph remembers God's faithfulness.  He lets go of his present troubles and allows his faith to take hold, to see God's faithfulness in the past, to give him hope for his own future.  We can learn a lesson from Asaph.  When we are troubled, when life seems too overwhelming, when God seems silent...turn to His word.  Read of His faithfulness.  When our arms seem to heavy to hold out toward Him a minute more, when the ache seems too big to get past...think of how He provided for you in the past.  Remember His faithfulness.  And remember, that though His footprints aren't visible...He is there, walking beside you, holding you, keeping you.

******

Letting go of lies...

The evil one has convinced me over and over in his constantly whispering voice that I am worthless.  That I am a failure at so much.  That I am not worthy of a second look.  But I KNOW that I have worth in Christ...that I am a new creation in Him, beloved, whole, redeemed by His blood.  I don't need others to tell me of my worth or worthlessness....I need only to believe that Christ died for me because He loves me and I am worth more than any precious jewel to my Father in heaven.

Five Minute Friday - Empty

round here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.
We lie down in our words and make snow angels.We try to remember what it was like to just write without worrying if it’s just right or not.
Be brave, come & join #FiveMinuteFriday. Your words are necessary! (<—Tweet this!)

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
OK, are you ready? Give us your best five minutes on:
::

Empty…

I will get back to Asaph tomorrow...and the lie I will let go of this week....


but first here's my five minutes on "empty" 

GO:





Can't take another thing...not another problem...not another hurt feeling...drained...exhausted...completely empty. What in the world could possibly happen next? 

Quiet, desperate prayer...."Ok God, I'm tired, I'm done.  I can't do any more.  My cup is empty."


And into that emptiness, that aching void, that "I can't do another thing"....steps my Jesus, my Savior, my friend, my healer.  And He holds out His hand, and He touches my cheek and He says to me...


"Beloved child...you can.  You can go on because I am here."


And as I choke back a quiet sob, and feel my eyes fill with those hot, prickly tears....I realize...I am no longer empty....but filled with His grace and love...and not just filled....but overflowing.


STOP

::

Asaph remembers...

This week I am reading and studying Psalm 77, written by Asaph, who seems to be in great distress.  He starts out the Psalm in an anguish you can feel in his words that almost leap off the pages to strike you in the heart.  He cries out to God for help, he talks of sleepless nights reaching out, stretching his hands out to his God...he grew faint and couldn't speak.  Oh, I've had these nights...have you?

It seems that God is silent because Asaph feels rejected, that God is not by his side...these words make my heart ache:

My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

 ⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever?
   Will he never show his favor again?
⁸ Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
   Has his promise failed for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful?
   Has he in anger withheld his compassion?” 

Asaph feels alone, forgotten...hopeless....aching...

But wait....

¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
   the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
   yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
¹² I will consider all your works
   and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” 

What is this, Asaph?  What is this turn around...this tiny little speck of light that shows in the darkness...a little bit of backbone that seems to straighten up??   

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; 

...the miracles...all your works...all your mighty deeds."

Let's just think on this for a while...remember....

.....to be continued....

Straight paths...

One of my favorite comics in the newspaper has always been Family Circle...especially the ones where the little boy goes somewhere, but he takes every possible detour along the way....

Some days just feel that way, don't they?  A long winding path that takes you twice as long to get there...sometimes finding good things along the way...and sometimes not.  Sometimes, there is just a lot of confusion and distraction that take your eyes off the goal...off of Jesus....and pretty soon you are wondering where in the world you are going....or if you are anywhere near God's will for your life.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.


Trust in the Lord....and see where His path leads....

Grace after grace...

Counting the reasons to say thanks....

81. feeling the mojo and creating cards.
82. Kira's last basketball game - they lost, but she played well and it was exciting.
83. blessed to be able to give flowers to the sweet team mom who provided snacks after games!
84. a stressful day, but an evening of fun ahead!
85. an extra night with the kids and didn't have to cook dinner!
86. a missed call, but a voicemail that made me smile.
87. long conversations and lots of laughter
88. creating little works of art
89. a clean kitchen because we all worked together
90. shoe shopping with Kira and a fun saleswoman
91. quiet time to relax and rest and reflect
92. dinner and pretty toes with Jenny
93. the start of my Walk with Christ weekend
94. communion with new friends
95. gifts galore
96. lessons on faith
97. the shedding of tears in the safety of friendship and love
98. forgiveness
99. making s'mores
100. experiencing agape over and over and knowing deep within my soul that Jesus loves ME, that I am a beloved daughter of God.
101. a wonderful, memorable awakening
102. the gift of a book from a new beloved and very special friend
103. more hugs than I could ever count
104. gift after gift after gift - with no expectations or strings attached
105. dinner with family and friends
106. a long, hot shower
107. a new birthday
108. a chance to serve the Lord
109. realizing I paid the bills and bought groceries...and there is still money left!
110. texts from a new friend
111. messages of love and encouragement
112. God provides financially - and not just for needs, but for the occasional special treat to brighten the day, too!
113. greetings that remind me of God's love
114. the sweet smell of flowers!

Singin' on Sunday - Mike's Chair - Keep Changing the World

Got a letter from my little Vishal this last week (See my Compassion Family page).  He received a gift from his financial sponsor and was able to buy blankets for himself and his family...his world is changing little by little and I'm so happy for him!!  :)