Insecurity, from Mom

I am putting these two journal entries in the same week because I believe that a good portion of the time the spirit of pride (the opposite of humility) comes out of a deep sense of insecurity.  We feel woefully inadequate inside so we seek to build ourselves up in inappropriate ways.  Demanding our rights, putting ourselves first, looking for others to do for us instead of doing for them, proving our right-ness....All these and more to feed our need  for value and worth, when our inner most being feels, vulnerable, scared and insignificant.  We forget the inherent worth bestowed upon us by God, being His beautiful, dearly loved creations that He shed His very own blood for.

Let's see where Mom's journal takes us today. 

Insecurity.  A feeling of inadequacy compounded by a sense of complete helplessness, purposelessness, disapproval or rejection.  We are weighed down by these things.  Overcoming is a daily, day to day, night to night battle.  Stop.  Attack insecurity head on, continue the battle until peace with God comes.  Kick Satan in the pants!  Don't allow him to take up space in you.  Read these Scriptures over and over and over.  Pray through them  again and again when attacked by Satan until God's peace reigns.  God is talking to YOU!  Listen for Him and wait on Him. 

Romans 8:31-39  What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?  If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since He did not spare even His own son but gave Him up for us all, won't He also give us everything else?  Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own?  No one--for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself.  Who then will condemn us?  No one--for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.  Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love?  Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?  (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.)  No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love.  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow--not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below--indeed, nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Psalm 43  Declare me innocent, O God!  Defend me against these ungodly people, rescue me from these unjust liars.  For You are my God, my only safe haven.  Why have you tossed me aside?  Why must I wander around in grief, oppressed by my enemies?  Send out Your light and Your truth; let them guide me.  Let them lead me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You live.  There I will go to the altar of God, to God--the source of all my joy.  I will praise You with my harp, O God, my God!  Why am I discouraged?  Why is my heart so sad?  I will put my hope in God!  I will praise Him again--my Savior and my God!  

From me.

Look at these verses!  The love radiates off the page!  There is no doubt about the value God places on us,  or about the love that is lavished on us.  Like Mom says, read them over and over and over again, let them sink anchor in your soul.  We are the apples of God's eye!  Do we do everything right?  Of course not!  Does that change His everlasting, un-exhaustible love?  Never.  We are to combat Satan's lies with God's truth.  Psalm 139:14  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  And if all that were not enough, think of who we are in Christ!  Ephesians 1:4  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.  We are His children!  Sons and daughters. Imagine, the broken and the damaged, God sees as cherished and treasured!  Be secure in who you are.  Perfect, no!  Perfectly loved and valued?  Yes!  We can humbly serve and care for others because we know we follow Jesus our example.  There is no need to build ourselves up in the world's eyes.  We take our significance from our heavenly Father. 

Lord, thank You.  In myself I am insignificant, but in You I find my value and worth.  Because I am Yours, Your creation, Your daughter I have purpose and need not wallow in self pity or be imprisoned by insecurity.  The manacles of pride cannot hold me down because I am freed by You.  Lord, help us all to live out these truths, believe Your Word over our feelings, the lies of Satan and the opinions of the world.  We are Your blood bought, much loved, masterpieces made to live for and glorify You.  Let insecurities and pride no longer hold us captive.  We are free in Your truth and by Your power.  Thank You.  In Jesus Name, amen.

Do a topical search in your Bible or computer on our value "in Christ."  Just to start you off:  Romans 3:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Ephesians 1:4-6, Colossians 2:11.....Keep going! 

Humility, From Mom

Humility.  What comes to mind at the mention of that word.  People taking advantage of us?  Using us?  Being treated unfairly?  Being a doormat?  But yet the most humble person to ever live was Jesus Christ, and outside of being treated unfairly, I don't see any of those other statements being true of His life.  Let's see what Mom has in the journal for us to discover.

Matthew 18:4  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Humble - to make low, lower oneself, devoid of self, willingly submit to God and His will.

The greatest virtue is humility.  Humility says, "I am a sinner, I need to be saved."

Proverbs 22:4    Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. 
Humility is the beginning of wisdom.

Childlikeness.  Matthew 18:1-4  And about that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"  Jesus called a little child to Him and put the child among them.  Then He said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.  

God calls us to be childlike in humility and have a servant's heart.  John 13:1-17 establishes the spirit and style by which the authority of the believer is to be expressed as an agent in God's kingdom.

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”  8 “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”  Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”  9 Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

10 Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

From me:

I've heard it said that humility and meekness are strength under control.  I kind of think of it as preferring others over ourselves.  If we are strong in the Lord, knowing who we are in Him then being a servant, not needing to have our own way or be right all the time, giving of ourselves so that others may be blessed, even above our own needs or wants, not concerned about the world's opinion, then pride will not get in the way of our witness for Jesus.  When we look at the life of Jesus we don't see someone who lived for themselves.  I never saw Him say, "I did enough for these people today, I deserve a break."   He didn't tell the disciples to wash His feet, but instead showed caring for others was more important than being served.  And when it came time to save us, He willingly allowed Himself to be horribly abused and murdered so that we might live. 

This isn't about not setting boundaries in our lives.  There are times when we are doing people no good by allowing bad behavior to continue.  Jesus often told people He would not go along with them.  Our first and foremost submission in humility is to the Father.  We come to Him childlike, needy, open, and in trust.  After that He leads us in the way of humility.  Serving others becomes serving Him. 

Lord, I struggle in this.  No one likes to feel taken advantage of.  But if doing for others, even the things they should do, even when things are "not my job," shares Your love and shines Your light, I want to be doing it,  Help me to get over my pride, over my "me first, I'm right, I need," attitude and follow the footsteps of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Forgive me, I fall so short, allow pride to rule my heart.  Lord help!  I am lost in this without You. 

Examine your heart today.  Ask God to help you root out pride and learn to walk in humility. 

Verses!

I love the Bible.  I love the way God speaks to us through it.  I guess you could say it's my favorite book...hands down!  It's God's life leading, comfort giving, love flowing instruction manual for us. God's way of reaching out and sharing His heart in a Spirit filled, infallible written form that has been given to us as a beautiful gift from our Creator and Savior.  Studying the Bible is the best investment a person can make. 

Okay, I guess I've stated my case for Bible reading.  LOL  But onto the God visits that came from these love soaked Spirit breathed pages. 

I've chronicled my struggles this week with the work being done in my home.  And the promises given to me by the Father.  But what I didn't share was that one of the verses, one promise, was given to me three times, in three days, by three different sources. 

Ephesians 3:20  Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Infinitely more.  Not just more than we can ask, but even more than we can think!  When we pray, when we seek the Lord's help, He has more in store for us than we can imagine.  Praying with the expectation that God is more than able, more than willing is an area I fall short in.  I ask, but lack faith to believe He hears, or more accurately, that He desires to give me help.  There's always that "I'm not deserving of His care." attitude rumbling around in the back of my mind when I pray.  I try to ignore it, but it's way back in the dark corners all the same. 

Let me just say, to you dear readers, and to myself....this kind of thinking is not from God.  And so I am choosing to ignore that little niggle of a thought and instead believe that God is able and willing and desiring to do more than we ask or think.  I'm pretty sure, after placing that verse in my path three times He wants me to know that.  And not just me....you too!! 

Lord, thank You.  You are so good to us.  I know that things will work out the way You have planned, for our good, in Your timing.  I am joyful that work is being done beyond my sight.   I am thankful for Your kindness and love.  Be glorified!  In Jesus Name, amen.

Today, choose to believe the Bible over your own thoughts! 

Testing, Testing, Ugh

Testing, trials, tribulations...oh my!  These are not my favorite things.  It doesn't feel good.  In fact it feels downright awful.  But there is also that small part that is curious to see how God works things out, to experience His faithfulness.  I'm not sure how this will play out, although I am pretty sure it will not be any solution I would have in mind. 

A person came highly recommended to do some necessary work on our home. All seemed to be good at the beginning, but now the whole thing is falling apart and going in a very bad direction.  So where are we to go?  What are we to do? 

I felt very strongly that God wanted us to remain good witnesses throughout the process of dealing with a person who we feel is not doing right by us. Showing kindness and respect, while still being firm about our needs and expectations.  Also, I know that praying for people that harm us is not a suggestion but a mandate from Jesus.   These were the first instructions I received. 

Last night, I tossed and turned, alternating  between faith and despair.  But throughout the night, and when I woke up this morning the promises of God kept running through my head.  God has got us covered.  (Just an aside, this is one of the reasons we need to be in the Word of God regularly.  It puts His Word in our hearts, giving the Holy Spirit something to draw on when needed) 

Romans 8:28  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.  

Ephesians 6:11-12  Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  

John 16:33  I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

James 1:2-4  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a change to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  

James 1:5  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.  He will not rebuke you for asking.  

1 Peter 1:6-7  So be truly glad.  There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.  These trials will show that your faith is genuine.  It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.  

On and on the promises of our Father ring through my heart....He is so faithful to comfort, to reassure.  This world is a scary place sometimes.  People, circumstances appear to conspire against us.  But we have an Advocate no one can overcome.  As I typed out the verses here, the peace Jesus promises swept through my soul. 

I've been asking Jesus, teach me to abide.  And I think this is part of the lesson.  Maybe I shouldn't have asked that, LOL.  Just kidding.  I want nothing more to be wholly and eternally abiding in my Lord and Savior.  And learning to do that, especially in the tossing turmoil of this world is what will keep us on an even keel, able to weather the storms of life and remain a faithful witness for Christ. 

What an amazing God visit this is.  In the midst of the difficulty He has not forgotten us nor deserted us.   Isaiah 49:23b   Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”

Lord, thank You for Your comfort and Your care.  Thank You for Your leading and teaching.  Help us
to shine for You.  We want to continue to follow You in this, continue to pray for blessing on those involved.  Lord, please work this situation out.  We trust You.  You know that it's so easy to get into fear, into anger....I don't want that.  Be glorified.  And help us to remain in Your peace, abiding in You.  But please bring completion and resolution to this problem.  We need You. 

Lord, I pray for those reading this who are going through their own trials and hardships right now.  I pray that through these words they too will feel Your comfort and Your love.  Encourage them through Your promises, and work our their circumstances as well.  Bless them and keep them in Your peace Lord.  You are our God, our heavenly Father and our Savior.  You are the one who never leaves us nor forsakes us. 

Thank You.  I praise You for Your faithfulness and Your wisdom.  Ephesians 3:20-21  Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!  Amen.  

Take these and maybe find some more promises in the Bible to hold on too through the difficulties that you face today. 

Changing

Along with the "Redeemed" study we are doing in Ladies Bible study, we are investigating the "Sermon on the Mount" on Sunday mornings.  Both these studies, come on the heels of the Lord asking me to do a "follow me" study on my own.  I see so clearly the connection of these areas, I know God is taking me to a new place, a new level on my journey toward a Christ like life.  I feel overwhelmed by all this, sometimes in a good way...like WOW,  how does God fit this all together, and sometimes in a scary way, like WOW, how am I going to do all this at one time.

And then I hear this song.  And I know the bottom line is being different, changing to be salt and light, flavoring the world around me with God's love and shining His sweet care and steadfast truth to those I encounter.  It's not about plowing through studies.  God isn't on a time schedule.  His time is eternity!  And His timing is perfect!

Sometimes I think God visits are actually God camping out in our hearts.   There He leads, teaches, admonishes, heals, renews and strengthens us.  Things like teachings, songs, Bible verses, seem to bring to the surface the work He is doing in our hearts.  They place the spotlight on something God is working on in us and with us, for His glory.

I love You Lord.  I am in awe of the way You weave things together.  Thank You for these studies. Thank You for drawing me to a new place.  I know on my own I cannot, but through You I can.  Help me to not be stubborn or willful, but to submit to You every area of my life.  I want people to see You in me.  In Jesus Name.  Amen

Think about starting a study in the Beatitudes today.  Matthew 5:3-11

Romans 8:28-29  And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.  For God know His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.   

The Beatitudes

3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,

    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

4 God blesses those who mourn,

    for they will be comforted.

5 God blesses those who are humble,

    for they will inherit the whole earth.

6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,

    for they will be satisfied.

7 God blesses those who are merciful,

    for they will be shown mercy.

8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,

    for they will see God.

9 God blesses those who work for peace,

    for they will be called the children of God.

10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,

    for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.

Words

"Looking, reading, searching, listening, asking, seeking."  This group of words is from Angela Thomas-Pharr's Redeemed study that we are doing in Ladies Bible Study.  (I seem to be in this study, including seeing the taping of it, for over a year now!)  But for some reason, these words, strung together wound their way into my mind, setting off a burst of thought and desire.  

This is what I want to do with God.  I want more of Him.  More of His ways, His love, His Presence in my life.  More knowledge, more intimacy, more display of His character and power.  More of everything that comes with being a child of the Most High God, the Creator, Sustainer and Savior of my soul.   These words, all though not known to me at the time, cradled the "follow Me" desire of my heart I've experienced lately.  That need to know Jesus, to literally sit at His feet and learn.  

And how do I get to the place of more?  I look, I read, I search, I listen, I ask, I seek.  Digging into the Bible, reading books and commentaries from trusted, insightful, Spirit-led authors.  Prayer, lots of prayer and quiet time before the Lord.  Sitting under gifted teachers, sound doctrine, whether it's in my church on Sunday, conferences or via video or audio.  I so want more time, more hours in my day for this!!  

I love the small things that light a fire in our hearts.  The God visits that wake us up and set us on a new path toward the Father's heart.  Renewing our energy, our focus.  And it only takes a word, an idea, a sentence to cause  a spark....how cool is that!

LOOK:  to turn one's eyes toward something or in some direction in order to see:  to glance or gaze in a manner specified:  to use one's sight or vision in seeking, searching, examining, watching, etc.

READ:  to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.):

to utter aloud or render in speech (something written, printed, etc.):  to have such knowledge of (a language) as to be able to understand things written in it:

SEARCH:  to go or look through (a place, area, etc.) carefully in order to find something missing or lost:  to look at or examine (a person, object, etc.) carefully in order to find something concealed:  to explore or examine in order to discover:   to look at, read, or examine (a record, writing, collection, repository, etc.) for information:  to look at or beneath the superficial aspects of to discover a motive, reaction, feeling, basic truth, etc.:  to look into, question, or scrutinize:   (of natural elements) to pierce or penetrate:

LISTEN:  to give attention with the ear; attend closely for the purpose of hearing; give ear.  to pay attention; heed; obey (often followed by to):  to wait attentively for a sound (usually followed by for)

ASK: to put a question to; inquire of:  to request information about:  to try to get by using words; request:  to solicit from; request of:  to demand; expect:  to set a price of:  to call for; need; require: 

SEEK:  to go in search or quest of:  to try to find or discover by searching or questioning:  to try to obtain:  to try or attempt:   to go to:  to ask for; request:  Archaic. to search or explore.

The definitions are great.  Those words show the depth of how we are to find and maintain our relationship with our God.  It's like a never ending well, deep, mysterious, refreshing.  Just putting these words together with our relationship with God, reading the definitions and getting the depth of meaning for how we are to approach this relationship, is so exciting.  I'm not sure if that makes sense, but its caused a glow in my heart, and I hope you get the same stirring!  

1 Chronicles 28:9  “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.  

Our desire for the Lord is to be whole-hearted.  I know I am not always feeling it.  But I can decide to push forward with or without emotional coaxing.  And I know that within myself, where the Holy Spirit has renewed my spirit, I need and desire this intimate relationship with Jesus more than anything else.  

Thank You Lord for words that encourage us, spur us on to a deeper, closer, more vibrant and living relationship with You.  Help us to keep the fire of that need burning in our hearts.  We need more of You!!  

2 Chronicles 15:12   Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.

Make a covenant with God today to look, read, search,, listen, ask, and seek.  

Prayers

Today, I just want to take some time to pray for those who have been affected by these two terrible storms, Harvey and Irma.  So much devastation, loved ones lost, homes, businesses destroyed.  So I am asking that you join me in bringing these things before the Lord.

Lord, we come to You in the name of Jesus and ask first and foremost that you send Irma out to sea.  I thank You for turning her away from Puerto Rico already.  Let her do not more harm.  Please send this storm back to the ocean.

Lord, I pray for those who have already been under the wrath of these two hurricanes.  I pray  You will strengthen them for the upcoming clean up.  That You would provide for their physical needs. Lord, send helpers along side them, as You are already doing.  I thank You for all those who are helping and I pray you give them wisdom, strength, energy and the supplies they need.  Open doors for the Gospel as the healing and helping begins.

Lord, please encourage those who have lost so much.  Let then see hope, let them see Your love, let them find little patches of light in a truly dark and stressful time in their lives.  If people have lost homes, please help them rebuild, give them what they need to do this.  Reconnect families and pets that have been separated.  Let those of us that have, share generously with those who need.  And please keep corruption away, greed away....let people who need it get what is given in faith.  Please give patience and endurance to those who will have to endure this whole process of rebuilding their lives.  I am sure it will be trial and error, a lot of waiting and second and third and forth agencies to visit for help....Lord, I can't imagine.  Please smooth the process for getting help out for people who have already suffered so much.

Please send the right people to the right places where they can use their skills and expertise to do the most good.

Help people hang on.  Help them get up to face the day, step by step, moment by moment.  Direct them to resources.  Show them what steps to take to start and finish the recovery process.  Heal their hearts and lives.

Lord, comfort those who have lost loved ones.  Be by their side.  Wrap You arms around them and love on them.

Thank You for the many, many people who are helping in the recovery process, in Texas, Louisiana, the Caribbean Islands, where ever people have been affected and harmed by these storms.  Thank You for all the wonderful examples of love and caring we have seen...from the smallest to the grandest, all of it shows the part of us that was made in Your image.  You are there!

Again Lord, please send Irma away so she can do no more harm.  You promise that You will answer the prayers of Your children, yet we know Your ways are sometimes not what we would choose. Help us to keep the faith in You and trust Your love.  You shine brightest in the darkest moments.

We stand together before You Lord.  Hear our cry for help.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen

In the Everyday

It's the little moments that make up our days.  Taken as wholes, the hours in a day blend together, passing by in a blur of activity and mindlessness.  But sometimes, just sometimes, little pieces of the day stand out in our consciousness and make us smile.  Sunday I had two such moments that I believe were orchestrated by the Lord to remind and encourage me to stay mindful of His ever present care.

I had to make a deposit to my bank at the ATM.  No big thing, I've probably done it hundreds, if not thousands of times.  But of course, I was in a rush (sometimes I feel like that is my permanent state of being!), but not really stressing or anything like that.  So I go into the vestibule where the ATM is, start writing out my envelope.  I am placing a check and the deposit slip in the envelope, just about to seal it up, when I heard a small voice in my head:  "Sign the check."  I had forgotten to sign the check!  I was two seconds away from creating another errand for myself during the week.  I could just hear the bank calling Monday morning after they opened my deposit envelope, "You need to come down to the branch, you forget to sign your check."    Ugh, another mark on the to do list! Thank You Lord for reminding me!!

Okay, so I take the check out of the envelope, sign it, seal things up and proceed to put the deposit into my account via the ATM.  Done.  Time to do my second errand of that day before I meet a friend back at my house so she can pick up cat food from me (we all feed feral cat colonies and I am designated to by the food when we run low.  I had twenty bags and twenty cases of cat food dragging around in my truck all week!   LOL).  I turn from the machine and start walking out the door, again hearing a voice in my head:  "You forgot your card."  Oh my!  I had left my card in the ATM. That could have been disastrous.  At best I would have had to run down to the bank when they found it Monday morning and redo my card, at worst someone may have gotten into my accounts.  I really don't know where my head was Sunday afternoon, but it certainly wasn't on the tasks in front of me. Thankfully, my heavenly Father was watching!

Now, these things don't always happen. Many times I've forgotten something or been so distracted I completely lose track of what I am doing or supposed to be doing, but I think because I've been working on being more aware of God's presence in my moments that it is easier to hear His voice through the haze of busyness that usually clouds my day.  What a wonderful benefit of practicing His presence!  I love it.

Lord, thank You.  Thank You for taking care of me Sunday (and everyday).  I am so happy!  You are a good Father.  Lord, let me, and all of us become more and more aware of Your touch to our days. Let us see the flow of Your love surrounding us and caring us through each minute.  Sometimes we get so lost from that knowledge.  Thank Your always for the reminders of Your tender care.

Practice God's presence today!