Inspired by . . . His good pleasure

The percussion of the seed pods on the cottonwood tree call the chickadees to frolick in her branches.

I don't think the trees tolerate the birds. I think they glory in the touch of those tiny nails against their skin, reminding them of their purpose. Their reason for living.

Were the trees made for the birds or the birds for the trees?

It matters not when you consider the great Truth. The circle of life connects us all.

God made all. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. (Jn 1:3)

Why?

For His good pleasure.

And ours.

He is a God Who delights in giving good gifts to His children.

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luk 11:9-13)

When we embrace the gifts He has given us and respond with praise and thanksgiving for all He has done we are freed to love others as He has loved us. [click to tweet]

How are you embracing the gifts and blessings He is pouring out on your life?

Blessings,

Sharing inspiration here:
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Faith On Fire, Grace & Truth,
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Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
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Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments, Heart Encouragement

Inspired by . . . God sees you

Hello, friends,

Thank you for your grace while I've been away for a few days. 

I mentioned, briefly, in my year-end post that I had received a challenging medical diagnosis in 2016. I had a flair up about 10 days ago that ultimately landed me in the ER last Thursday. My first time ever in the hospital.

I don't share this for your sympathy, or even the sweet well wishes I know you will be quick to offer. I mention it because . . . God.

Only God could provide an ER doctor who was an expert in my condition. (His son was diagnosed twelve years ago and ever since he has made it a point to learn everything he could about the disease.) Dr. Rice immediately saw that this was all new to me. More importantly, he saw that I had not understood nor accepted the full import of my condition.

He was able to speak some sobering truths to both my husband and me. But he also gave me hope.

He saw me, he saw my situation. He cared.

And through him, I knew that God did too.

And that's what I want you to know. Whether you have a chronic medical condition, a chronic relationship, bondage to a particular sin, an over-scheduled life, whatever your situation is - big or small - God sees you. He cares about You and about Your Life!

Just like you hurt when a loved one is hurting, God hurts when you're hurting. [click to tweet]

Don't ever doubt it.

My condition isn't curable, but it is manageable. And while I'm still a long way from acceptance of my situation, I know without a doubt that there is a purpose and that His grace is sufficient.

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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2Co 12:9)

I've missed connecting with all of you here and visiting with those of you who have blogs. I'll see you soon!

Blessings, 

Sharing inspiration here:
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Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
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Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments

Inspired by . . . weighted blankets

Have you heard of them? these blankets filled with plastic poly pellets, similar to what's inside Beanie Babies. Some people are calling them magic blankets because they are said to help calm anxiety, prevent insomnia and even help people with Autism and PTSD.

Reading about these blankets reminded me of a dream I had the other night. I was lying in bed and had a sense that a great, but not unbearable, weight had descended upon me. Not only on top of me but it enveloped me completely. 

This weight was not abiotic. I could sense it's spirit next to me even as it's essence surrounded me. The sense of peace was absolute. So much so that, even now, the memory of it gives me a sense of calm.

Such a perfect peace can only come from one Source. I awoke to feel as if I had been sheltered under the wings of a mighty, yet gentle bird.

Source

He will cover you with His wings; you will be safe in His care; His faithfulness will protect and defend you. (Psa 91:4) [click to tweet]

Such is His great and mighty love for us! He longs to bring us under His protection. Yet so often we refuse and demand our own way.

"How many times I wanted to put My arms around all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let Me!" (Luk 13:34)

God will never force us into His nest, even though He knows it is the safest place for us to be. [click to tweet] His word promises peace to all who love Him and accept His protection.

But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may exult in You. (Psa 5:11)

I've been sleeping under the weight of blankets for years. I have no doubt that these new "magic blankets" which are said to "cause[s] the brain to release neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that improve moods and induce a calming effect" will improve your sleep and help reduce anxiety.

Even so, it is important to remember that it is God, and God alone, Who gives us peace and safety for our souls.

 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. (Psa 4:8)

Shalom,

Sharing inspiration here:
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#WordswithWinter, Titus 2 Tuesday, Thoughtful Thursdays,
Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
#GiveMeGrace, Sitting Among Friends, #Glimpsesofhisbeauty
Counting My Blessings, Grace Moments

Inspired by . . . anointing the dirt

We live so much of our lives with our hands tied around our backs.

~Christie Purifoy (Roots & Sky pg. 37)

Autumn has been a series of starts and stops and back-agains. We've been gone and back, and gone again. Now back. 

I'm longing for routine. Same old, same old sounds like heaven to me.

My blogging has suffered along with all the irregularities and I miss all of you.

Not writing has left me feeling dry and brittle. My mind is constantly stringing words together but with every break in routine, my thoughts scatter like windblown leaves.

I was beginning to identify with my front yard.

Barren. Nothingness. Dirt.

From our temporary dwelling, that is all we see.

When I wrote that last line I was referring to where we are currently living, my Dreamer and I. But there is a deeper, more profound meaning.

Trapped in these earthly bodies our perspective can often become focused on the dirt. The barren parts of our lives that seem to produce nothingness. 

It's easy, for me at least, to get caught up in the hamster wheel. To feel unproductive and out of focus. To feel guilty over everything I'm failing to accomplish. But our perspective is often not the reality. 

And sometimes it takes a special sign from God to show us what is real. To remind us of how He works.

Sometimes, He sends us butterflies.

For several days the butterflies came. 

Flitting from here to there on the dirt. Not a flower or bloom in sight.

Beauty attracted to ugliness.

Tiny feet anointing barren ground.

The butterflies are gone now. In their place is a bounty of winter rye.

It is often in the periods of in-between when we're waiting on God that the Holy Spirit comes. 

He anoints the barren, dusty places. The hard places that we've stopped trying to navigate. He gives feet to our faith and voice to our deepest prayer.

And when we respond with obedience and joy He produces in us a bountiful harvest.

We all have dry and barren places in our lives. Some may be tucked away and nearly forgotten. I encourage you to bring them before the Lord in prayer today.

A tiny seed of faith, when anointed by the Holy Spirit is a beautiful thing.

Shalom,

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Thought Provoking Thursday, Grace & Truth,
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Encourage Me Monday, Wholehearted Wednesday,
Women with Intention Wednesdays, Word Filled Wednesday,
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Inspired by . . . Life thru My Lens 33:52

Around here, bright yellow buses coincide with tall stalks of Snow-on-the-mountain to herald the end of the dog days of summer.

Euphorbia (Snow-on-the-mountain) 

August has been a blaze of sunshine but the recent rain and cooler temperatures have helped to set our minds toward Fall. This month, tucked in the middle of the year's third quarter, has always felt more like an ending than a middle. This year, as we pack our belongings with dreams of where we might be when we unearth them again, the ending is sharper - more pronounced. September holds hope. August is a frail goodbye.

In the midst of all of this, God gently reminds me what He is all about and what He wants for my life.

Mockingbird babies with their mother.

He is about Life.

New beginnings.

Normally, when you think about babies you think Spring. But God has orchestrated these late bloomers just for me. Maybe for you, too?

Mockingbird babies

To remind us that every ending births a new beginning. The baby birds leave their nest behind . . . and learn to fly. It can be scary. Especially when you're the last one in the nest.

Mockingbird baby - the last one to fledge!

But like the mamma Cardinal, who continues to care for her young long after they've flown, God doesn't abandon us when we spread our wings.

Female Northern Cardinal (left) and first year male Cardinal (right)

Female Northern Cardinal

Rather, He is the wind beneath our wings as we fly.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isa 40:30-31)

***

What are you seeing

through your lens this week?

Blessings,

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