My Favorite Blessing!

    Grace is one of my favorite topics because it means we are FREE!  I feel so overburdened sometimes with my schedule, my to-do list, all the demands placed on me.  I feel I have to work, work, work.  But God has a different plan - He gives us grace.  You don't have to earn it.  You don't have to work for it.   All you have to do is accept it.

    For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast.  - Ephesians 2:8-9

Innate Wisdom

A bird has built a nest in our bathroom fan.   I hear momma bird go out and then come back in.  She gives a screech (which I think sounds a bit frightening) but then I hear little bird voices peeping excitedly, I assume for food.  This very noisy process continues for about 10 minutes, several times a day.

It occurs to me that God is generous with wisdom.  The bird knows how to take care of its babies.  The peonies on my front porch know when to open – and it’s interesting to watch the black ants eat away the green covering so the pink flowers can burst forth. 

We, too, have a deep, innate type of wisdom.  My body tells me when I’m hungry, it heals me when I am cut, and when I’m cold (like I was in the pool on Sunday) tiny little bumps form on my arms and hairs stand on end in an  attempt to keep me warm.

Amazing.  God has equipped us well.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33

Wisdom is a Process

Wisdom.

It’s more than an accumulation of knowledge.  It’s an ongoing daily acquisition.

When I started writing my latest book A Kid at Heart I thought it would go quickly.  God had given me the title, the subject, and even most of the chapter titles!  My publisher told me she’d like it in six months to a year.  “No problem,” I said.  But God wanted to take me to a deeper understanding of Him first.  Last year was abysmally dark and for the first time I found myself afraid of God – and of what He would – and could – let happen.  Could I still trust Him then?  Could I run to Him as a Father and take refuge in Him? 

For while I couldn’t. Now, coming out the other side of that dark year, a bit battle-weary, it seems I can.   As a child, we not only have the privilege of coming to Him, but we have the responsibility of coming to Him.  Where else, after all, can we go?

Wisdom dictates Him as Lord.  There’s no other way – there’s no better way.  

Wise Choices?

I think most of us struggle with our choices sometimes.  I know that for me, on my birthday last month, I looked at my life and wondered if I was where I should be.  I had dreamed of living on a horse farm, teaching writing at a university and writing novels.  My life hasn't led me there yet, and I'm halfway through.

            Have I made the right choices in my life?

            God, our Heavenly father, is the keeper of wisdom, and He gives it out to those who earnestly seek it. 

            If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5.

            That's a pretty amazing gift!  And, princesses, one we should desire. 

            Solomon was the richest and wisest king in history.  Why?  Because God told him he'd give him anything he asked for.  Solomon asked for wisdom, and because of that, the rest of his life was blessed beyond measure.

            So whether you are struggling with major life choices, or just trying to check off your to-do list, take it before God first.  Ask Him what to do.  You may be surprised at how much more smoothly things turn out!

Not I Should, but I Am

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror and realize that Jesus is living inside of YOU.  The fact that we are important enough for the Holy Spirit to indwell in us should be enough for us to realize how much He values us.  So drop the "I shoulds" and for today, KNOW that you are good enough as you are. God doesn't love you for how good you've been today.  He loves you for how good you've TRIED to be and for WHO you are as He created you.  That  knowledge is the first step towards peace.  KNOW how valuable you are to Him.

What Are Your Dragons?

The past couple of days have been difficult ones, and busy.  On Sunday I first noticed that gnawing in my gut that I call anxiety.  Yesterday it was worse, and I couldn’t figure out if I needed to exercise and burn off the excess energy, or take a nap! 

When I tried to figure out what was causing it, I realized it was my schedule.  I had far too many responsibilities crammed into a couple of days.  Not all of them were bad – it was just nearly impossible to fit them all in, and I spent a large part of Sunday ruminating about Monday and how I would get everything done. I had three different appointments at different times and in different places, and that didn’t count my kids’ various activities, and the fact I needed to pick up groceries.  Or my looming writing deadline.

            I have read that our thought life is the greatest cause of anxiety for most of us, so I tried to take control of my thoughts.  I wrote everything down in my calendar – color coded – and just looked at my list every few hours.   Then I tried not to think about it.  I even read Psalm 91 several times.  I’ve got to admit, it didn’t work.  On most days, I can handle my “to-do” list but I had a few very unpleasant tasks to do yesterday and today that I just couldn’t get out of my mind.  I was fearful.

            I’m done now.  Mostly.  And I’m better.  But anxiety has been my dragon the past few days, caused by my over-loaded schedule.  Next time I’ll have to manage my time more wisely, and put in some “fun” breaks as a reward for an unpleasant task accomplished. Lesson learned.

            In order to slay our dragons, we need to know what they are.  What steals your joy?  What takes away your peace and brings you fear, or stress?  When you identify your dragons, you’ve taken the first step toward conquering them.

            Just remember, your power comes from God.  You aren’t in this alone, and you have every resource you need to overcome.

            Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. – Ephesians 6:10

Warrior Princess

        We aren't wimpy girls, destined to sit back and wait for our knight in shining armor to save us.  God fully equips us to go out and fight the battles on our own!  So this month we're going to look at the power we have over the enemy as part of our spiritual inheritance.
         In Ephesians 6 we are told about the Armor of God.  Most of the pieces are for defense, but God allows us to fight, and gives us an offensive weapon to strike back.  The Bible says our greatest weapon is scripture.   Take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.    When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, he used scripture to fight his battle.  Start memorizing scripture - you'll be amazed at how verses pop into your head when you need them!
        Get ready girls, and join the fight!  Our King has equipped us to be on active duty.

For the word of God [is] alive, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  – Hebrews 4:12