KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON

In 1939 the British Government revolutionized this motivational poster "Keep Calm and Carry On."
Certainly the merchandisers all over the world are capitalizing on it. Okay I'll give the Brits credit for the cute saying but when someone says keep calm, I'm gonna be honest, I can't always calm down.

Today I read "Cast ALL your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
After reading that verse I closed my eyes for ten minutes with this question on my mind "Does God care about me?"

Of course everything  began vying for my attention...my cell, texts, grocery lists, appointments...

Oh God help me...

Ahhh...
Then I saw it...I was a spectator to Jesus:
Inviting the men to be fisher of men.
Tenderly talking to the women at the well.
Present working with the disciples to feed five thousand.
Healing the women with the issue of bleeding.
Raising Lazarus from the dead.
Talking with Mary as she anoints His feet with oil.
Washing the apostles feet.
Being beaten and hung on the cross.
By the time I got to the cross, I sat tears streaming down my face seeing His body battered, pierced hands and feet, bloody brow and the gouge in His side.

Does he care?

Prayer:
Thank you Lord for caring for me today. Your came with the soul reason to love and care for me and others. Thank you for I am grateful.

How do I carry on now?

With the vision of those stories in my head my heart is overwhelmed with His love.
When relationships are not solid.
When your boss is demanding.
When your children don't cooperate.
When your circle of friends are too busy.
When your spouse nags or doesn't understand.
When someone close dies.

Carry on with this:
God is with you.
He never leaves you.
He knows all pain. He gets it.

Picture yourself sitting with Jesus face to face sitting, talking but when it is time to carry on...Would you be tired and cranky and more confused? Or Would you feel renewed, refreshed?

Every visit is rest.

Keep Calm,(reflect), and Then Carry On. Too long and would not look good on T-shirts but you get what I mean.

RESTING IN THE LORD

I read the passage of scripture where Jesus appeared in the upper room after he rose from the dead.
His first words were "Peace be with you." Each time he greeted a disciple he said those words "Peace be with you."

I closed my eyes with the intent to sit and rest in Jesus. Quiet my mind with your love. I pictured Jesus appearing to the disciples with His arms extending out saying "Peace be with you." At that moment I felt like I was there in that room. He had risen! He was dragged brutally and hung on a cross and left secured in a cold tomb, yet here he was before their eyes.

I thought of the reason for his death. I personalized it. To atone for me/mankind.
I heard a whisper "Peace be with you."

My impression of that moment was Jesus was all about others. Never about himself. He extended peace at that moment. What? Think about that. His greeting blew my mind. Reassuring. He is all in for you and me.

I sensed His love for me. No matter what goes on in life. If I get worn out, Jesus is there to extend me peace. His story is one of grace. I needed to remember that. He knew I needed that. He loves me.

Do you every close your eyes and sit and wait, no agenda or purpose but just wait? I closed my eyes knowing Jesus is present but I did not know what to expect.

Find your rest spot. Pull over. Get to the Oasis.

LAUGH A LITTLE.

Dear Friend:

I heard this joke recently.

There was this old man sitting on the porch with his wife, the love of his life. He said "Sugar I would really love one of those DQ hot fudge sundaes. She replies "Yeah with nuts too!" He said "I think I'll run out and get us one of them sundaes." She responds "Great but you better write down hot fudge with nuts or you'll forget." He responds "I won't forget." Sometimes passes and he returns and hands the bag over to her saying "Here lovely wife." She opens it up finds a ham sandwich and says "Oh I told you to write it down you forget the mustard!"

I needed a good laugh today. A distraction.

Sometimes in life we get stuck. We maybe praying and there is no answer.

I hope today that this helps you to remember that we can't take life so serious or we will dry up.
Laugh a little will you!?

Elaine