60 SECOND LAINE-TACKLE MONSTER

My desk is a mess. My thoughts kind of scrambled. The decorations from Christmas beckoning to be put away.

It's a monster of a decision. Tackle monster-determined effort to deal with difficult task/tasks.

I know what I will start my day with.

Jesus.
Waiting patiently for my soul to awaken and my mind to be quieted.

My friend before bed last night texted me. She has cancer. Her body is aching.
Oh Lord, you promise you are with my friend, she loves you. She is your child. Lord I ask now that you take the pain. 
I stumbled on this, "Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up a shield and armor; arise and come to my aid."
Lord, does this count for cancer, the enemy of the body?
Lord, contend, with that cancer for my friend; fight against the cancer and pain that wages war against my friend. Take up a shield and armor; arise and come to her aid." 
Lord help. Thank you for contending. Thank you for your word. Blessed be your name.

My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long. The Psalmist always ends with thanksgiving and praising. (Pray for someone, inserting their name above).

A cardinal just appeared in front of my face in the window. It is going to be okay. Amen 

Go tackle the monster/monsters!

60 SECOND LAINE-DOWN TIME

"Let Down"

Feeling disappointed.

Disappointed the days we were looking so forward to; is done.

The day after Christmas it begins.

Friends, family return to their homes.

Underneath the tree is empty. The stockings are down. Actually it is time to take the decorations all down. It's a down time. Down time does not have to be sad time. 

"Down Time"

Rest.

Peace.

Mindfulness.

Self-care.

Self-love.

Gratefulness.

Dr. Suess had a great saying, "Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened."

The Psalmist wrote, "Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God (Ps. 42:11).

Look closely. Think about the gifts each day brings. 

This white board and the words are a gift from my husband.

My warm house is a gift.

Sitting having a cup of coffee is a gift. 

Make your list each day. Being grateful will help the blues disappear.

One day at time.

Can you hold out your hands and give the "Let Down" to God and ask Him to help you see this time is "Down Time". 

Prayer:  Help me to make a list of things to be grateful for. Help me see them as gifts from you. Help me to find value in this down time. Amen.

Down time is not sad time at all. It is time practice gratefulness.

60 SECOND LAINE-NATURE NUTURES

LORD I NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU. I wrote that in my journal. It was my prayer.

I was sitting on the second floor at a desk right at the window.

I heard a chirp out my window and I looked up to see 10 very bright cardinals flying in and out of the tree. They flew in my backyard. It went on for sometime. Enough time that my daughter and husband joined me for the glorious view.

I wish I could have captured the whole thing for you. There were so many male and female cardinals.

Lord what does it mean?

I can't explain it, but I can say that it the moment I felt warm and fuzzy. Like this wasn't just a normal thing that happens. I felt loved!
It went on for minutes. Cardinal flying back and forth between two trees. I just could not believe it.

It popped in my head.
God feeds and takes care of the birds. Then I heard "I got your back, how more valuable you are to me." I am valuable to God. We all need to hear that. I hope you have enough courage to want to be valued by God. His value is amazing, unlike any you would get from anyone.

This is the kind of nurturing we were created to receive.

In the song Great is Thy Faithfulness the lyrics state "Join with all nature in manifold witness." We are part of Gods plan to be loved and love others. When we feel loved and we understand His love, we can extend love. It's part of greater plan.

Paul wrote "Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see."

What are we able to see. God designed us to be nurtured and He nurtures us be revealing himself to us.

In the moment "Nature Nurtures." How amazing!

Prayer:  Help me to see and hear. Amen.

I don't know how He will do it for you, but His divine nature wants to nurture you.

Connect.
Expect.

60 SECOND LAINE- NEXT STEPS

Unsettled, trepidation is how the adult students felt in the classroom. They were asking themselves how they were going to go back to school at this point in their lives. What will these next years look like? They all felt like running back to the known.

Isn't that how the shepherds felt, Joseph the one betrothed to Mary, and the wise men.

Sometimes in life we want the change but when it's really happening we think, wait, maybe the known is better.

If we stop and let the truth seep in. Let the truth be first in our mind. Give it permission to speak. Push every other thought away and just say NO! Stop!

What would we hear?

The one who calls us, who loves us, who wants us to have peace could finally speak. He can have a word with you. 

We look for peace, yet, when it knocks at the door of our heart we don't open the door. We shut it out. We close the voice out. We distract ourselves. We run. 

"For I know the plans I have for you."says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope. 

Let me in...I love you...I created you..I have your back...I  have your best interest. -Jesus-

Prayer:  Lord help me to trust you with my life. Amen.

60 SECOND LAINE-WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

Wonderful Counselor


Have you ever had a someone give you bad advice. I am pretty sure you would all answer, YES!
This Christmas think on this.

Unwrap this gift:

WONDERFUL.
Amazing
Delighful
Pleasing
Great
Brilliant
Perfect
COUNSELOR!

Seek Him first! If you seek Him like you seek silver and gold, then you will have the wisdom and understanding of God.

Pray: Father come into my life. Humbly I come to you for understanding.

Trust in the Lord.
Lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him.
For He will make your path.

60 SECOND LAINE-DISTRESS SIGNAL

As she lay there in her hospital bed wondering what just happened.

She was having a great family day and then it happened.

Their van full of family, they were struck by a drunk driver.

In that moment, my friend didn't know what we know now. 

Surgery and rehab would continue for 6 months.

Distress!

He had a stroke! Next day, he leaves this earth!

Distress!

Jesus said to His disciples we will go up to Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover meal, one of you will betray me and I will suffer a criminals death, I will be crucified.

Distress!

I was having a serenity day. Everything seemed perfect. Drive to the beach, nice long walk. Lunch in a southern shanty. Bamm! A car raced out of a parking lot, right into my car.

Distress!

The woman in the crowd was just wondering, if only I can touch His cloak and then I will be healed. The suffering has continued 12 years.

Distress!

Send out the signal. We are hurting! It is everywhere. Pain, illness, lack of funds, lack of work!

Why, Lord why? You know everything Lord. Yet there at times is no warning!

Drop the why. Send out a signal. Summon some aid.

Jesus said in the garden (that fateful day) PRAY. HE said it three times. Pray. He warned the disciples yet their human reaction was what appears to be depression. They kept falling asleep. Curl up in bed, give into fear and distress. We feel as if we can't go on. We don't get it. 

Jesus...Remember. Remember what I have built within you. You will have pain. But I am here to help you. I warned the Faith Fathers, this side of heaven there will be no perfection. 

But be warned He said I am here, I remain in you if you remain with me. Trust me. 

Death did not hold me down.

I am bigger even than death.

I will shake up the earth.

You will survive.

You will find rest.

You will find peace.

I will walk with you.

I will never let go.

Amen and Amen again.

DO NOT BE DISTRESSED. I have given you all you need. Walk. Walk and learn from me.

PRAY:  Father I don't see this distress leaving but I will trust you. Teach me Oh Father, do what you can do. Only what you can do. Power from with on high.Amen.

60 SECOND LAINE- DODGEBALL

Is your desk cluttered, therefore, it's hard to concentrate?
Sometimes thoughts are cluttered and it's hard to concentrate.

I discovered that if you clear your desk and work one thing out at a time it is much easier. List people say one thing at a time marked off the list feels good.

Our mind operates the same, if we have a lot going on (Christmas prep) it's best to keep a constant list going. Talking out loud to myself, right now! It's suppose to reduce stress.

Some days it feels as if there is a dodgeball game going on around me. Picture each ball having a title of what you should be doing next and they are all hitting you at once. Dodgeball, can be brutal. It's hard to get out of the way and avoid the balls hitting you all at once.

I am reminded today that God takes our cares, if we are willing to give them to him. Are we willing?

Pray:  God help me fight the temptation that everything urgently needs to be done. Can you help me prioritize my to-do list. Help me to focus on you first. Amen.

What helps you to focus on Him first? Music, repeating a hope filled verse. Talking to a friend.

The reason I bring this up is because if we don't take care of the stress it surely will take care of us and I mean that in a bad way.

Finding a socially intelligent way of coping is better. We live in a world where we are being given so many helpful hints to cope and reduce stress.

Praying constantly for help for strategies is the answer, it causes the awareness needed and the result is a calming effect.

Try it, you will like it! Your family, co-workers, friends will really like it.

less than 60 LAINE-IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY!

Over twenty of these are hanging all over my house.

Struggles are real!

Make a list of the struggles.
A list of things you want someone to just stop giving you advice about, stop telling you to get over it, a list of what if's, a list that you want someone to just say "It's going to be okay!!"

Put the list somewhere safe.
Put an alert on your phone for 30 days.
Open the list up.
Look it over. Reflect.
What happened in those 30 days?
Can you write next to each point-
It was okay
it was okay
it was okay
it was okay
etc...
Can I get a shout out?! Sometimes we just need someone to say the most comforting words, "It's going to be okay!"
Next to some of your points you may write well it didn't end up the way I would like to say, "It's okay!", but that is okay too!
Am I making sense?
More time wasted, stressed out, is less timing being fully present with others.

Jesus cares about your time, your body, your mind, your soul and your strength!
He really cares.
He wants to be a provider, care taker, healer, refuge

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.

If you are not confident that God can handle some things. Talk to Him about that. He will take the time to you BUILD UP to gaining so He gains your confidence.

Pray:  God help me to go to you with my mess. Help me to trust you. Help me to know things are going to be okay. Amen.

Now just tell someone today, "It's going to be okay!" No advice just reassurance.

60 SECOND LAINE-LET IT MARINATE

"This is a marination song. Marination song is a song that does not have a lot of content, but when repeated over and over it gets absorbed in your mind and soul," explained the worship leader. I googled, marination song, asking, is this a made up thing by the singer or did he get it from another source. It was not a headline topic but there was a comment made, marinating, implies listening to a series of a songs or song that reflections your current mood.

I personally think when I look at raw chicken...boring, blah...! I have no appetite for it! Yuck! I would skip cooking that chicken...get lazy and grab for fast food. BLAH! BLAH! BLAH!

Googling marinate:  marinating 101 popped on my news feed. One of the easiest ways to flavor food is to marinate it. Depending on the meat it can take from one hour to a overnight soak to really get the meat to absorb the flavor. You know when you savor the taste of marinated meat; it is oh so good. One chef would say the longer it is marinated the better it would taste. Yum, yum, give me that marinated chicken.

I love this analogy! A marination song! What is your marination song? Lately, for me, the new worship song called  Reckless Love. I take each word into consideration. Absorb it! Let it marinate! It comes from "But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal" (John 12:25 MSG).
To really marinate it I look up the scripture in other versions. Then I paraphrase it (absorb it) so I can relate it to me.  Here's what I came up with:  If I love  a worldly life on earth it will eventually just end in death. That's it! But if If I let the worldly go, and I fall in reckless love with Jesus I gain a new life perspective, where I become concerned with pleasing God, in essence I gain deeper meaning (zest for life all with Jesus) and will keep that meaning with me for all eternity.

The song really wants us to understand, no matter what God will chase after us for always. Is God foolish or irresponsible to leave 99 sheep to go find the lost one? He risks it all! That kind of reckless love is amazing, enduring, confident, trusting, passionate, and steadfast. We become reckless...it doesn't always make sense...but we follow it.

Pray with me:  God please give me some of that reckless love so I have it for others. Amen.

Find your marination song, savor the joy you receive from it!

60 SECOND LAINE-RECKLESS IN LOVE

While riding my bike or driving , I see all around me, many of the leaves didn't complete their cycle of life. Piles and piles of green leaves when in the past years they would be bright orange or yellow.

I had taken some pictures showing an example of this.

Interestingly, I did a visit to someone who died the next day and then at the same time relating the beauty of leaves to our lives. Our lives at the end is fully ripe like a beautiful fall leave and then life ends. But why are some many leaves on my path and streets fully green and falling in great piles.

Is that a metaphor to all the crime and shootings going on recently? People taken from this earth early without preparation. It is disturbing. Yet, the green leaves are beautiful. They still did not seem ready.

That brings me to a verse that keeps popping up where I go.
Listen carefully:  Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real an eternal.

Letting go...reckless in your love

The choice is to focus on what you see and let it take your thoughts away and you imagine things or just think about the things from above, reckless in love. Waiting for things to be revealed on earth day by day praying for God to take over. It's like, "Jesus take the wheel. Jesus, really take the wheel. I don't want to drive. I don't like to drive. Really, Jesus take the wheel. Take my thoughts, my circumstances, my life and drive."

I suppose that is what kept Paul sane while he was in prison. He was missing those he loved outside. Yet, he could still write to them and He had a inner voice telling Him that everything He did counted. Counted for Jesus. No matter where he was, He was with Jesus and He was serving Jesus. What about you? Getting my head in Jesus game and staying focused on Him. He will run things. He will work things out. How do you feel about that? I feel refreshed. He restored. Like "Everything will be okay!"

Throwing all caution to the wind...lost in my reckless love.

60 SECOND LAINE-I CAN'T FLINCH

Some days I need to be reminded who is in charge of the universe and that I am not on an island alone.  (Thank goodness, I'm not in charge.) Reflection: an essential tool for learning. I feel compelled to share what the Apostle Paul has taught the Philippians and I about the sovereignty of God. Philippians being one of the first churches Paul establishes in Europe was near and dear to his heart. He was longing to see them, yet he was imprisoned and standing trial in Rome. You know how precious and how excited you are to be around something you established.

Paul tells us to, "Stand firm, stand together, for the faith of the gospel, and have no fear" or in modern day words "Don't flinch!" Next he reminds us to go to the cross for this strength.
"God made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. He humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on the cross! Therefore God, exalted him to the highest place of honor (please don't miss this, JESUS is exalted to the highest place of honor) and gave Him the name that is above every name."

As I read this story,  I picture myself  going to the cross, kneeling, and bowing my head, I CAN'T FLINCH!
I am frozen (like Elsa, from the movie Frozen!) but it is peaceful. All of the healing I need in my body, mind, and soul occur there. I regain my vision for who God is and I am renewed, free to get up and carry on.

You may want to reflect...in a moment of silence...remember Jesus exalted to the highest place of honor(allow a minute or so to pass...perhaps reflecting on the cross...go to youtube.com and find the song At the Cross, Chris Tomlin...close your eyes and rest)

Now continue on praying as Paul prayed for Philippi:

I pray that my love will flourish and that I will not only love much, but well. Learn to love appropriately. I need to use my head and test my feelings so that my love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of :  bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. Amen  (Phil. 1:9-11).

I have regained perspective. I can close for now with this:  Peace I leave you. Amen.

You really can't flinch at the foot of the cross, try it!

60 SECOND LAINE-GET THE GRIME OFF, O HOLY NIGHT

The picture I drew of the winter wonderland landscape was done. The title...mmm...O Holy Night.
Mariah Carey plays in my head. What a beautiful song. The choir hums...A thrill of hope...Oh, night divine.

Imagine standing in a field and the angel appeared...of course we know what happens...but just look up one night alone...look at the sky at the huge star that lights it up (the glory of the Lord)...that divine night.

Our tired, work-out, sin sick body, needs this baby. Do you realize the ramifications of this baby being born? Gracious!

Mariah, tells us to fall on our knees...hear the angel voice...cried out do not be afraid...then suddenly a host of angels appear praising God...and then it happened......the child was born...one extraordinary baby...laying in a lowly place.

I suggest you play the song and read this magnificent Christmas story (Lk. 2:8-20).

A new and glorious revival of the heart. Revive our hearts oh God, we need more of you and less of the hectic.

Prepare your heart...Yes, it was divine!
.

Well we have to go...go see for ourselves!

Why?
We fall short of the standard of our glorious Father. Get the grime off, be cleansed.

I was at camp and the at the field games everyone was filled with mud, but they all cleaned up pretty well too! WOW!

Things get messy on our insides too, like jealousy, craving what someone else has, critical of others, and talking bad about someone.  Just like those kids, we can all get cleaned up, Jesus gets the grime out of us.
Pray:  Father in heaven help me...I need you Forgive me. Thank you. Amen.

60 SECOND LAINE-THE DANCE OF SORROW, LOVE, PEACE

With such love and compassion they were saying their good-byes. They sat with her till she took her last breath. Oh God, what words can you comfort them with? Knowing God was with us, I recited Psalm 23. The words of this amazing Psalm never gets old, Our shepherd is with us, as we walk through the darkest valley, He comforts, we will dine with Him (think about dining with Jesus), goodness and love follow us on earth, and when we take our last breath we will dwell, in the house of the Lord. 
In John 11, Jesus arrives to raise Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus already was dead for four days. Jesus grieved and wept with Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha, he felt their pain. Jesus had real human emotions. He grieved with them. Let us imagine this great miracle. Jesus shouted "Father, thank you for hearing me. (He thanked God first!) You always hear me (He points out God always hears.), but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here (At the end of life God is concerned for the souls of the living and the dead . Think about that when planning a memorial service.), so that they will believe you sent me. Lazarus, come out!" (Jn. 11:40-43)

Daily we swirl around in a dance of  love, sorrow, and peace.

At end of life situations what else could we need? Really everyday.
Our strong shepherd, picture it, His job is take care of His sheep (We are His sheep.). If one of us wanders, He goes to any length to bring them back into the fold. 

The comforting words of Christ "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

Before a leave dies,

it is beautiful. God gives each of us His light and beauty on earth and then we return to our Father in heaven. Let us rest assured that as children of God, He gives us peace. Sometimes we could be in a conflict and yet we have a peace. Do you know what I mean?

Let us pray:  Father take my worries (name them), direct my path, thank you for your peace. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Dancing with peace!

60 SECOND LAINE-SAY NO

"If you cannot say no, then you are not in charge of your time. You've given that right to whoever wants to interrupt you. This is not a friendship based on equality. True friends will respect your wishes. You don't have to apologize for being in charge of your life. It's okay to say no. Give up the need for excuses. Don't assume that you have to explain or defend your response. Saying no for your own reasons is often enough."

Hi Friends:

Do you ever have trouble saying no to people.

I saw these quotes in a  Becoming a Master Student , (Ellis, D. 2015e), book. I think in this new generation that discovery, intention, action and success helps us form new habits, and skills with the idea to consistently get what we want out of life.


Taking care of yourself is not mean or being a bad Christian.

60 SECOND LAINE- SURPRISE

Standing in a market place, she appeared before me. "I am writing a paper and I need to interview someone", she blurts out. This is a young about 16 year old girl who proceeds to ask me "What are you doing in Boston?" My favorite question.

I was in Boston telling my faith story to four groups. The girls continued on by asking me to tell her my faith story. I graciously told the story to her, when I got to the end I asked her if she has a faith story. She said as a matter of fact I do and she shares her story with me.


Refreshing...reassuring.

I can't explain what it is like to be standing in a market square, 928 miles away from my home and be able to tell my faith story. I can say "Only God." Oh I forgot to mention that a young man overheard the story and it opened up conversation with Him. We, the young girl and I, encouraged Him to seek out this guy name Jesus and explore a relationship with Him. We both reassured Him that it will radically change his life. He briefly mentioned that he doesn't know about this "religion stuff". I said good, because I am not talking about religion but about relationship.


Friends, Jesus last commission said to go out and train everyone you meet, I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to till the end of age (Matt. 28:20 MSG).

Surprise! You never know what a day will bring. Go forward, pray, God's got your back forever and ever. Amen.

A gift! Celebrate!

60 SECOND LAINE-FOR THE LOVE OF TIME

Charting my weekly schedule by every 1/2 hour is tedious. Have you ever done the excercise of charting time to see where you spend it? Personal, leisure, friends, family, health, work, volunteer, and church.

Here's a question. Do you think Jesus is concerned about time and how we steward it?

If yes, what reason do you have to believe that?

Jesus said, "Seek first".
That is an indication that Jesus helps us prioritize.

60 SECOND LAINE-JUST TRY...SEE WHAT HAPPENS

'My mom or dad don't listen. My teachers don't listen. My friends don't listen. My grandparents don't listen. My boss doesn't listen. Really! Does anyone listen? Then one day I heard about this guy Jesus. I was told He listens. I read this story about this blind guy Bartimaeus who was sitting along side a crowded road. Among the crowd he heard Jesus was there so he cried out "Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me! Jesus stopped and said "Call Him! A disciple called him "Take heart. Get up; He is calling you." Jesus said "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." Jesus said "Go your way; your faith has made you well." Bartimaeus knew very little but he heard this guy Jesus listens so He asked.'

A young High School student did the above five minute talk to a small group, when done He asked, "Who listens to you?" At different times in His life He felt that no one was listening but still considered praying and he began to see Jesus makes changes in His life. He made the connection that Jesus really does listen. Even the disciple said "Take Heart". They knew He came to the right person. He turned His attention and heart over to the right guy, Jesus.

Are you struggling right now or do you just need someone to listen? Have you tried asking Jesus to listen?

Prayer: Jesus are you there, it's me and I need to know you are listening. Help me with............or I am feeling help me........Amen.

Just try....see what happens. Jesus said "I know what you will ask even before you ask it." Cool!

60 SECOND LAINE-LOVE RAN RED

Questions, lack of understanding, battles, differences, approaches, ideologies, theories, convictions, resolutions, peace, comfort, self-assurance, peacekeeping, peacemaking, frustrations, conflict....

Go to where THE LOVE RAN RED.


THE CROSS

Then wait...

I am reminded
"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in  the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1John 1:5-7 ) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2
NIV)."

THE WHOLE WORLD.

His love extends for the whole world.

So lift all of the opinions and resolutions for any situation up to the one whose love ran red for us all. Wait and see if you should act, confess (weakness, unwillingness to change your ways, wrong-doing, lack of love for others), be quiet, forgive or pray. Wait for the Lords direction. There is never quick solutions to change. Any changes where our mind has been set.

Choose to walk in the light. That may require change. It may require you to speak out, be quiet, be still, change your words, renew your mind.

PRAYER: Lord I run to the cross with ....please help me to see things the way you see them. I submit my thoughts, actions, opinions and attitude to you holy Father. Amen.

God never changes but we need to change to be more like Him. Always we must change for the love of the one who died on the cross for us all.

60 SECOND LAINE-FLIP THE SCRIPT

-We don't even know how to sing.
Let's not lose time. You must learn. 
But how? 
Let's start at the very beginning 
A very good place to start 

When you read you begin with
A, B, C 
When you sing, you begin with Do-Re-Mi
Do-re-mi
Do-re-mi 
The first three notes Just happen to be 
Do-re-mi 
Do-re-mi
Do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti 

Wondering why I copied the Sound of Music script above?

I'm beginning something new and don't know where to begin...Have you had that?

I was asking myself "Where do I begin?", when these words popped into my mind.

It did jolt me and give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

So I am flipping the script=reverse the usual

in a situation and do the unexpected.

Do you need to FLIP THE SCRIPT?

Where do we begin?

For me today I'm gonna remember this 

I AM VERY CERTAIN, HE WHO BEGAN A WORK IN ME WILL CARRY IT ON TO

COMPLETION TILL HE RETURNS.

(PHIL.1:6)

This reminder is enough for today.

I am continuing to pray this same prayer: 

God lead me where you need me. Make it clear.

Amen. 

Maybe you have flipped the script and you're on the way,

then use your courage and bravery 

and encourage someone else today to "Go for it".

60 SECOND LAINE-LIFE PRESERVER

Looking up at the top of the tree that ws like about 35 feet tall. I could wrap my arms around the trunk. There was no branches till more than half way up and at that point only three ten foot branches extended out. To me it looked like nerves tentacles extending out in three different directions. Each of the three had a few branches extending out with leaves on it. Darn! I wish I took a picture for you. The leaves I'm pretty sure were oak. I found when I leaned on the tree it was strong and for sure it didn't look old.

I want to describe it so you could get a really good picture in your mind. I thought I didn't need a photo but now I don't feel like I'm doing a very good job. If you were to draw it from my description I don't think you would be able to accurately do it. I'm trying here but....

At this point you should be asking me "Why am I even reading this?" This assignment I did at a nature therapy hike was to allow myself to be drawn to a tree and really spend time completely observing it.

My take away was this...stop...look...when I took the time I learned so much more. This was one of like 5 exercises I did out in nature. For me it enriched my relationship with Jesus. It drew me to creation really gave me ideas of what to do in nature other than racing through on a path. That day I saw so much more.

I liken this experience to my reading the bible this morning. I'm drawn to reading John 6. The people saw Jesus feed 5000 miraculously. They wanted more food  but Jesus point in the whole thing was for their hearts to be drawn to His heart, to see Him as the son of God who loves you and gives eternal life.

Read it for yourself. Ask yourself questions, explore and come to a conclusion for yourself who Jesus was. Just like I explored the tree and I now I see nature different.

I pray you see Jesus different from the passage. You know if you have a smart phone you can get the free app Youversion and pop in any verse in any version of the bible. NLT, NIV, the message...read John 6.

Observe what he says about "work" and what we should work for. I love this, Jesus said "Whoever comes to me I will never drive away." it is the Father's will to preserve those who come to Christ.

PRAYER:  Thank you Jesus that you are my life preserver. Lord lead me where you need me. Amen.

I was blessed in nature from GOD'S CREATION. Be blessed with the RED WORDS of Jesus.

Side note:  After reading this passage I went to work. I didn't put two and two together. But I'm not kidding when I write you this. The night before I got loaves of bread from my daughter stating "I got these and don't know what to do with them." I said "I will just bring them and give them away at work." Arriving at work when I was closing my car door I remembered I got the bread and grabbed them (thinking nothing about the passage I read that morning.) As I was passing them out a lady said "What are you like Jesus feeding the 5000?" A light bulb went on in my brain and  I declared "I just passed out loaves of bread and I can't believe just that morning I read this passage of scripture feeding the 5000." I didn't plan it or realize it till that girl said that. Thank you Jesus you orchestrated a gift! A way to give and love others. To be the feet and hands of Jesus.

60 SECOND LAINE-WHAT'S THE GOAL?

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah hurrah, the ants go marching one by one, hurrah hurrah, the ants go marching one by one the little stops to suck his thumb and they all go marching down into the ground to get out of the rain. Boom, boom, boom, boom...boom, boom, boom...

Recently this song kept my momentum going while hiking in Glacier National park trails.
It usually ends at ten but I think we made it to twenty.

The scenery...spectacular...each moment we hiked built on the next steps each topping one view to another. I simply can't describe the beauty of Montana.

As I hiked I would always question "What's our goal?" In protest my party would yell back "Stop asking that, we don't need a goal"!

I need a goal...it keeps my momentum going.

How about you? What keeps you going?

Even in everyday life my personality type likes goals and it keeps me going.

What's the goal?

"Dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Jesus." 2 Peter 3:14

What Peter was talking about was the new heaven and the new earth which we are waiting for. While we wait the goal for us is to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Jesus.

Prayer:  Father in heaven my goal is to love myself, love you more and love others. Help me each day as I await your return. Amen.

GLORY BE!

WATER COLORS EJ ART

EJ COFFEE ART 7/17

EJ COFFEE ART

Started painting over a year ago for fun. This has been a blast!

 Drawing and painting with coffee is a blast and is my favorite.

EJ COFFEE ART

60 SECOND LAINE-SPRING CLEANING

MMM! I have to confess I have so many thoughts that this may go over the 60 Second Laine.

I was riding my bike in the rain and I felt like a little girl. It was an adventure!
When I was younger with umbrella in hand I would sing and dance in the rain. I love adventure! I actually felt like Mary Poppins once when the wind lifted me off the sidewalk (at bit, really!).
But one day as I played at the park the rain came and I hid under a shelter house where the slide was. The rain will pass and I'll run home. Only the Chicago storms would start calm and turn to golf ball size hail. Yikes I got so scared as it got darker. I'm gonna have to suck it up and run the two blocks home and hopefully not get hurt. Oh God help me I need to get home and I'm scared. God please, please! 

That day I did get home and I wasn't hurt but I realized my adventure turned scary.
In life the ups and downs make can make us feel overwhelmed.  Here is the deal. The heightened awareness that only God can give us helps us get through them.

I've been sort of training myself when the storms arise to ask myself "Is Jesus Real and how right now?" I asked that today when someone was difficult to deal with. Jesus you ask me to treat others the way I would want to be treated. Well if I was having a bad day wouldn't I want someone to forgive me by giving me grace? Jesus is so real, he is here helping me to be patient. Jesus my provider.

A leper goes to Jesus and says "If you are willing you can make me clean." The Lord "I am willing Be clean!" The man was made clean.
We can ask ourselves "What in my life can Jesus help me clean up."
I was thinking about the word "clean".  Things like addictions, worry, negative thinking...all things that Jesus can help clean up.

I am captivated today as I read this passage "Jesus is willing".  He is willing! Wow! When I need help I can go to Jesus, he won't ignore me, he is willing. Countless times I have done just that...it makes Jesus real and he is constantly helping. Jesus is real. He is my healer. (healer has so much meaning. It's not always a sickness, it includes, grieving, brokenness, broken-hearted.)

Spring...a time to do some cleaning! Ask Jesus to help you...for His namesake. No other reason. For Him. Do it for Him? #kneel,ask,receive,touch,love,mercy,clean,thank

#that'swhatIcallspringcleaning

All of this insight was whirling in my head on my bike ride. Now I have come full circle and I suggest also that you go for a bike ride. Find a hill to go down and soar!

60 SECOND STACY-FIGURE IT OUT

Life in college can be very difficult my friends. We’re away from family and figuring out who we are and what we find our identity in. It’s so easy to get swept up into schoolwork or other things in our lives. We get into our schedules and routines and run from place to place. Our time is filled and it’s hard to remember to take breaks, take a breath and focus on our God. It’s the easiest thing in the world to focus on everything we have to do, the stresses in our lives, money, or family/friend problems.

            I was sitting in my bed one day and opened up my bible to Genesis. There’s a story about Jacob after he left home because he was going to find a wife and Esau was angry with him for stealing the blessing intended for him from their father. Jacob was alone and wandering, he was lost and in a dark place. He used a stone as a pillow and slept. I don’t know about you guys, but that sounds like a low point to me. But he dreams about Heaven and angels and the Lord looks down at him and promises to watch him and tell him that he will always be with him. The thing that stuck out to me was what Jacob does next, he wakes up and thinks to himself, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it. How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven” Genesis 28:16-17.

            What a simple and life-changing way to think. When all is going wrong, when you are making mistakes and you feel alone and tired, God is there. How different would we live if wherever we went and whatever we did we thought, “Surely God is in this place”. When I read these words I was overcome with joy. I knew that God promised to always be with us, but for Jacob to be in the place he is and to think about how awesome it was only because God’s presence, is very beautiful. 

            I challenge you to carry these words around with you when life gets busy, hard or seems mundane. Whatever is going on, to simply remember that the God of the universe is with you and you are on holy ground, I think if we thought like this that we would live differently and make different choices. 

60 SECOND LAINE-LEGIT

I sat down to meet the funeral officiate and she began by saying I know your mom was a Christian and I have her bible and I will be honoring her legacy.

I could hardly breath. In my grieving I had not been able to start planning. But God did! The plans to honor my mom was already in motion. I did not have to do a thing. God had it all. The bible was read and her heritage was completely covered.

What a great gift. Sometimes God knows we don't even have to ask. He knew my heart. I had been praying that morning only for me. For me to be able to get up and go to the planning meeting. I just kept saying I can't do this. I can't see my that way.

Yet I sat there in the room with God determined to sense His peace. Determined to work this out with Him.

Blessed are those who are mourning for the will be comforted. (Oh God, how? How will I be comforted?) A promise of Jesus came to mind, "You can do anything with me." I quieted down and sat with that truth. I feel stronger and I can with You. I can were the words of my heart. I can with You. I can go with You. 

I went in the strength of the Lord. Everything was  okay but many more gifts were in store. Like the angelic peaceful disposition of my mom. Oh what a gift! Oh what a gift of the funeral officiate. I never would have imagined such a beautiful way to say good-bye till we meet again.

Please remember we grieve over many things in life and it is legit. It is the death of a job, empty nesting, end of a friendship or relationship, lost of bodily functions (that would mean we have to quit a sport or exercise), moving....you name it.

Remember God hasn't left you. He sees and knows it all.  He's is faithful to see you through it. He will do it!

You can do it with Him. LEGIT help is on the way!

60 SECOND LAINE-CONFIRMATION-FLOW 2

Making space and time to finding my truth.

Pen in hand I began to journal with thought to obtain clarity for my circumstances right now.

What unexpectedly happened is my journaling led to a realization...I'm living in a great place for now (enjoy it), the bills are getting paid (miraculously), my job is okay, I visited with my grandson yesterday and it was nothing short of FUN!

The grandson thing I have to expound on. My son moved recently and it was nerve wrecking picturing him not being a mile away, like he was. I mean great convenience, right? I just had to give the move sometime and go with the flow. (I'm continuing the go with the flow thought process from a previous posting.) My calendar and time cleared yesterday and they were available for a visit. It was a beautiful day and my two grandsons (3 year plus and 10 month). Played ball on the porch, used the brand new pooper scooper to well...get all the dog poop picked up off the yard...many laughs there. The 10 month old in hand with the scooper in the other I scooped and the 3 year old used the rack to plop the poop in the scooper. The ten month old never peeped a word he definitely went along for the stroll and humor and my constant yelp "Look at the bird, hear him? He goes tweet, tweet, tweet!"

As I stepped out of the house to leave it happened...the greatest sound ever...1 block over was the ice cream man!!! I yelled to the family and a big bonus of the day happened, the 3 year old did not remember what the ice cream man or even the truck meant. It was so exciting! I got to see his excited face as the truck pulled to the curb and we selected our items, took a picture and of course began to eat! The unexpected joy moments, gotta love them.

Alright buddy, you're right, this one's gonna be longer than 60 seconds.

Getting back to the journaling...count your blessings. Really that simple! My tip to get through the moments in life. Put your seat belt on and count your blessings. That's all I got.

That realization came yesterday so today I am doing a tutorial on Linkedin called embracing changes and point number two of making change  work for us is...Count your blessings.

This is a confirmation of clarity that I needed; my thought plus a secular site equals... slow down embrace the change...things are gonna work out...I'm  gonna flow with it! What ended up happening is I came to a conclusion that even though I don't have an answer on my next vocational journey or the place my husband and I will live in, truth reigned. My life couldn't really be better.

60 SECOND LAINE-QUE SERA, SERA

As I stood on the bridge and watched the two ducks float with the flow of the stream below me it occurred to me that they were not even trying to resist the flow, they just peacefully drifted. It all happened so fast because the stream was quite steady. I pictured in my mind the carnival days when I picked a duck floating in the little pool they had set up. They too just floated around a circle driven by a water pump that circulated the water. Also, the memory of me on a tube drifting down a lazy river, my feet up so I could go faster. All of this brought me peace. FLOWING! My mouth declared "Flow, I want to flow! God how do I flow?" My work, my ministry, my relationships....flow. This song pops in my head. Whatever will be will be by Doris Day (if you don't know who she is that makes me feel old) comes to mind right now Que Sera, Sera...Whatever will be will...the future is not ours to see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZbKHDPPrrc

After seeing the ducks it has been my prayer to "Go with the flow."

That takes a little bit of faith and whole lot of trust.

Trust God from the bottom of my heart.

There use to be good size hill in my neighborhood that I grew up in. A street went down it. I would ride my bike 7-8 blocks from my house to get there and at the top I could not wait to lift my feet and soar down it! Or today there is a rather large hill at the Arboretum that I ride my bike down and I lift my feet and soar. The wind blowing my hair back and it feels so good. It's my happy place. I found it as a child and I find it now. Where is your happy place. A place to drift and let go. I have to trust and go for it and soar!

I'm kind of all over the place in this 60 second Laine but I think what God is saying to us today is some kind of invitation or beckoning himself to Him. When we find our happy spot it's like a sweet spot we can spend with Him. A place of rest and peace. Ask for refreshment so you build up a reservoir to "Go with the flow!"

Que Sera, Sera. If you aren't familiar with this old song click above and find your happy spot.

Whatever will be will be...the future is not ours to see.

60 SECOND LAINE-JOLTED

He said, she said...they said...so many opinions from so many people as to why things weren't changing. Why was things not working out? I prayed...my close friends have been praying.

Can you relate? So many thoughts about the dilemma I was experiencing.

I stopped because I had done it again. I was jolted!

The image of a storm rising and I am being tossed around. Finally I yell out Jesus. He's right there and he says "I'm right here. Come to me. It's gonna be okay. Trust me. Sit with me. Quiet down."

Jesus "I'm struggling each time he says and then she says, it's hard to stop being jolted. Yet you ask me to sit still and not be jolted. I'm failing you." His response "I'll always love you thanks for recognizing you shortcomings. Let's just sit here for a while. Do not be afraid."

There is no shame in being jolted. It's life. The fact that we can sit and come back to be grounded by Jesus. 

Guys and gals, when jolted don't take on shame. We can get back to trusting again and it will be okay.

Decree a simple I'm sorry and then move on.

#findyourinnerbeinggrounded

Just a side note there is an essential oil blend called Being centered or grounded.  LOL! Really? Just give me Jesus any day. 

60 SECOND LAINE-A EASTER STORY

"L'amour de Dieu est folie!" declared Brennan Manning, author of The Ragamuffin Gospel. He suggests "Should you ever have the opportunity to celebrate Easter in France, (where he lived for six months)You will see one phrase written on the walls of buildings or the sides of buses in script or black print. You will hear the one phrase sung, chanted, and recited in the churches; you will hear it exchanged as an Easter greeting as people pass on the street. It means, THE LOVE OF GOD IS FOLLY.

Webster defines folly-the lack of good sense or normal prudence.

Well of course!

My mind is finite. Many have trouble saying the gospel and our eternal security is simply Christ's passion on the cross. A man dying. In the natural if someone was to say a man willingly went to the cross he didn't even defend himself. Someone would respond "Isn't that dumb or weird, folly!"?

Why? Because we look for our eternal security through the flesh which is following "Law". At least some of us struggle with that. It's takes faith to understand grace.
Brennan says "If a man was given $100,000 dollars and the lender says pay it back in a year interest free. After a year the man starts to pay it back $10,000 per month. But just as he puts the check in the mail a check arrives in the mail to him for $10,000. He can't pay it back. 
We can't pay God back for what He did with his son Jesus.

It's FOLLY! Who can understand a gift like that?

Today take a moment to remember the Easter Story and say "The Love of God is folly!
Amen. Declare the greatest act of love!

It puts things into perspective for the Easter Season, truly! Jesus love puts life as a whole in perspective.

#findyourinnerEastermeaning

60 SECOND LAINE-ANGEL ARMIES

The God of angel armies is always beside my side. I heard that in a song.
I stopped and paused. What would that look like?
An army of God's angels all around me.
I see it now. Just imagine it? It's an image of protection.
Whom or what shall I fear?

Breath in and breath out. Carry on warrior.

Angel of the Lord appeared to Jesus and strengthened Him.
He got up and went to the cross. Wow! Can't imagine this. Especially since Jesus knew all things in the future. He knew the brutal death He was to experience.
His love was so ginormous!
It's like a dad going to the cross for their child.

When I stop and picture these images it reminds me of how small I am and how big God. It puts the importance of knowing Him in perspective and circumstances in life seem smaller too!

Jesus my protector.
Jesus my caretaker.
He thinks of everything.
Make your thankful list.
He's real.

60 SECOND LAINE-FAST TRAK

Times flying.
Think about that.
Times flying?
I guess racing ahead.
Of course, we're loosing time.
Time for what?
Right now I just read "The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth."

So many word pictures here.
Wax from a candle stick melts and runs down the stick.
I picture a mountain literally standing tall falling down like a mudslide and then it no longer exists.
God what does all this mean?

Then it hits me. I am not the same when I visit with God. When I acknowledge his presence.
Again today I make my thankful list from yesterday. I'm not the same. I can't be the same. When I go before Him I am changed. I melt...melt like the snow...like wax in a candle...like a mountain coming down...it's better than life. I reflect on this today. Better than life...mmm.
I think so.
Better keep going...times racing. Time determines me. Am I on some sort of fast trak? Really? God owns time...therefore God is time...He is love...I just need to acknowledge it...then He makes it all okay...He controls things...mmm...I like that...Amen.

60 SECOND LAINE- MASTER

i picked up my journal
imprinted on the cover...

GOD IS LOVE...1 John 4:8
KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD LOOKING FOR LIFE EVERLASTING...Jude 1:21
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE...
John 3:16

Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, that you my friend will connect with the Lord in this truth, so that your mind will be at peace. Be grateful in all things.

I just made a list of all the things i have to be thankful for just yesterday.
Can you make a list and focus on it?
God exists. God cares. God loves you.

Stay focused today on this catch phrase God is real (you would not have a thankful list if he was not real).
most importantly...

GOD IS THE MASTER OF LOVE.

60 SECOND LAINE-Get Serious

Quietyly yet intentionally go to God.

You're feeling lost...
you're feeling lonely...
you're looking to feel something positive...

I am reminded today to stop looking for a feeling and look for the truth.
So let God work His will in you.

For me the catch phrase is stop trying to figure it all out!
It's making you anxious!

Say a yes to God and He'll be there in no time.

Get serious. Stop playing around.

Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

Grow up.

#findinginwardtruth
Truth sets us free.
Pray this:  God help me to find inner truth. Amen.
Words to live by.

We can't keep looking at the world and God. It's only God!

60 SECOND LAINE-MOTIVATION

Wait "What did you just say?" She repeats "You guys are such a good team to work with. I like coming over to your section it is peaceful." Tears welled up in my eyes and my heart skipped a beat of joy.

I must explain. It was a special moment because she just acknowledged everything I had been praying for...peace, favor and team work. I could give you the long version of how this occurred over months of patience, taking the high road, putting others first, minding my own business and being present at work, all with the idea of doing the hard for Jesus' namesake. I battled through this work constantly remembering the old sayings. F.R.O.G. (fully relying on God) and W.W.J.D. (what would Jesus do). Corny but true! I'm joining in the work He does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

The point:

When you do anything...homework, housework, cooking, cleaning, job...what is your motivation?

Are you living your life story to be able to brag...I've done this...I did it it all!

Or are you living a story that will leave a legacy laced with God's handprint?

This is a challenge to the status quo. If we are remiss of Jesus and go down a path of Christian amnesia it could block motivation and silence the desire for meaning of life.

#findyourinwardmotivation

60 SECOND LAINE-YES OUR HEARTS CAN SAY

It's been like a battlefield. Each day i'm not sure what to expect. So many questions unanswered. What will the days ahead be like? Will I be comfortable? Will I be lonely? Besides the future...today just today will i have the energy to love, to be kind, to care really care? Can I put forth effort to concentrate with my full body, mind and soul for Jesus or will I let a person get my goad?

Wait! Wait! Wait a minute...stop! I am thinking to much about me.
What about Him...Jesus...with joy my heart can i say...i'm not walking alone.

I believe there is someone who is gonna read this and get it. It'll click! I'm the one who needed to read this. Ditto, i've done the above.

The good news is that if we catch ourselves and stop on this day of love we can declare
YES, MY HEART CAN SAY...Never once did i walk alone.
Never once did you leave me on own.
God you are faithful!

Inventory time...recollect...remember the times you were rescued from YOU!
#findyourinwardrest

Pray; God i'm fully armored. By your might and power lead me. Guard my thoughts. Let me lean on yours. In Jesus name. Amen.

i'm not a big I, i'm really a little i...God is the big I...I am that is.
Yes let my heart say I celebrate the love of the Father.

HAPPY DAY OF LOVE!

60 SECOND LAINE-DIFFICULT DECISIONS

She had to decide loyalty to the family, country, legacy and monarch. Queen Elizabeth had to forgo taking her husbands family name for her and her children. Loving a man and wanting to honor him and his legacy. Yet it was a code of conduct for the future. She chose the Windsor name and to leave her home and live at Buckingham Castle. It could not have been easy. There was risk involved. She could loose him.

Let me explain why I chose this story of Queen Elizabeth. When I watched this segment of her life on the TV show The Crown I saw that agony of a hard decision.

I liken this to my relationship to Jesus and the words His disciples wrote and left for me to read. At times reading His basic call to love seems so obtainable and easy. Taking His name and being adopted into the family of Jesus was meaningful but what about following what He says. It can be easy when people are easy to love but what about those who are not easy to love. Those that don't agree with Jesus. When Jesus asks us to sit and listen to spend time with Him to get to know His character all for the sake of Him rubbing off on me and then it gets easier to love the unlovable (those who don't deserve love).

Sometimes like Queen Elizabeth we just have to do the difficult we have to not make up our own story or truth but just live the truth of what Jesus says and asks.

We must be careful to take His whole word not just the parts that are easy to follow.  Accumulated sin not acknowledged blocks the flow of life and peace that God wants to grant you.

Study this book of instructions continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Josh. 1:8

At night sometimes I awaken with my mind racing either from the day before or something to do the next day but it profits nothing to allow my mind to race. I begin to meditate on the word of the Lord. Like the Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. I go over each word slowly "The Lord" what does that mean to me. "Is" right now and forever and always He is... "My" I personalize things...He is my friend..."Shepherd" my shepherd, what does a shepherd do, how does he care for His sheep (me), His promise. "I shall not want" nothing else matters, His promise to be my shepherd is priceless.


And then....I drift back to sleep...

#examineyourheart

60 SECOND LAINE- THE NEW NORMAL

He was just 10 years old and he had this to say "I went to Nicaragua and didn't know what to expect but the kids my age weren't looking to purchase the latest fashions or electronics they seem to be satisfied. They greeted me and hugged me and that felt really good."

LOVE.
PEACE OF MIND.

PRICELESS.

Having the love of the Father in your heart must be the greatest priority right now. Keeping your mind free from discontentment, strife and hate. It is vital to pray and give every thought you have over to God.

But why?

Because there is too much to process right now and try and make sense of things but we have a God on the throne working things out for the good of those who love him.

So many times the Pharisees were against the radical moves of Jesus and they asked "why or how could he". He is God and He is asking us to trust Him.

Many have been praying for help. Perhaps help is here and it is radical. Not what "You" would have thought was the best way to make the difference. Yet God is bigger and sees everything.

The Psalmist said "Trust in the Lord with all your heart lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."
Maybe it's time for God to act and for us to  WATCH!

When the woman anointed Jesus with the expensive perfume. The response of the disciples was that they were repulsed because they knew the value of perfume and thought it could have been used in a wiser way. But Jesus said "The poor will always be there." She chose wisely by spending time with Jesus.

There will always be people with needs but perhaps Jesus wants you to come to Him at this time and leave the rest to Him.

Breathe. Stay in the peace and rest that He wants to gracefully give us.

#findyourinwardrest