WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF LIFE?

Swimming in my lane I was coming to the wall asking myself, "Where does my peace come from? Do I have it?" Sometimes we ask the Lord questions and it takes time for the answer, but I looked up underwater and on the wall was a BIG black cross. Right there in front of my eyes to my amazement the answer, the cross and yes!

Let me back up to that morning, being still, quiet, reading, waiting, asking questions. The question of the day; What do you want out of life? My answer:  PEACE. Definitely not fear of things not getting better, pain to continue, a friend in sorrow, convincing someone who won't listen that things will get better. Lack of peace, depression, anxious unhelpful thoughts.

I read Psalm 37 (NIV). Finished. Now what? Read it again.The teacher in me needs to be taught, so, I get this idea to keep going through the chapter and find the following two things:

Find fifteen things God asks us to do or not do?

My pen scans the chapter in the bible starting at verse one, do not fret or be anxious, continuing through, trust,dwell in the land and enjoy, delight, commit, be still, do not fret, refrain from anger, turn from wrath, do not fret, turn from evil and do good,  and wait (hope) for the Lord, keep His way, take refuge.

Find thirty one times what God promises:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, inherit the land x 2, (here it is the answer to my question. I must capitalize it.) ENJOY GREAT PEACE, he will laugh at the wicked, uphold the righteous, the days of the blameless will be known to the Lord, inheritance will endure forever, those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, he makes his steps firm, he will not fall, the Lord upholds his hand, never forsaken, never their children begging for bread, their children will be blessed (huge promise), dwell in the land forever, loves the just, will not forsake His faithful ones, protected forever, inherit the land and dwell in it forever, wisdom, tongue speaks what is just, law of God is in your heart, feet will not slip, exalt you and inherit the land, there is a future for the man of peace, the salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord, your stronghold in time of trouble, helps you, delivers from the wicked, saves you.

Can you believe there are thirty-one promises from God?

What I learned.

TRUST. BRINGS.
PEACE.

That peace you feel when you float on your back in water and listen...listen to the silence...OR that still small whisper...it's soothing...not harsh.

I told my son recently you have to tune into the Holy Spirit. Like you tune into a radio. No static or confusion. JUST PEACE.

wait...be quiet.
The connection of my start of my day and swimming is complete. Standing firm now still walking out this journey.

Prayer:
Thank you Lord for hearing my questions, thank you for answering. Thank you for your reassurance. Thank you for your amazing promises. Today and each day...I hold firm to your words..I will not slip...I will not fall...no stumbling...Thank you for peace. Christ you are my all and all. Holy Spirit lead me.  Amen.

WHY PRAY

Good question. If God knows everything then He'll take care of it, won't He?
I have found that he release of praying to God always, always helps relieve my fears.
Who doesn't have fears?
If you claim to not have fear, maybe you just don't want to use that word, because we all have fears. Maybe the words anxious thoughts or worry resonate better with you.

DO YOU REMEMBER WHEN....

Going through everything in my house was so tedious and exhausting. It was time to purge and clear, isn't the buzz word "Simplify"! (Truth be told as many of you know we moved.)  When I to the massive chest I had of photos, I began to slow down on my packing and reflect on the photos. Observing the many places I traveled and remember who I traveled with. Surprisingly, it was easy to throw albums out and pictures. I will not take the time to go through these 40 plus years of old pictures. I have been judged by others for throwing them away...pause...you may agree...let me tell you when I got to the photos that brought me the deepest joy...a soul joy...my heart soared...I raced out to find a way to organize them so that they no longer will be stashed in a box. It was kind of therapeutic.

Why am I telling you this?

The psalmist wrote, "These things I remember as I pour out my soul; how I used to go..." Ps. 42:4.

"I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds Ps. 77:11-12)."

The Psalmist chooses to remember Moses' flight from slavery to freedom, Joseph's release from prison to a high positioned job. God has always been in the business of helping all people feel loved and free.

The Psalmist journeyed through life expressing his emotions through his struggle and ending with the spiritual spin on things. Somewhere in the middle they remember what God said and did in the past and that helped them to come to the conclusion that they will trust God with the results just as the past followers did. 

So you see saving the inner circle deep remembrance photos and letting go of the rest is freedom.

The remembrance that is my imprint of growth. (growth unfortunately even in size...which always is fluctuating, you know what I mean). It's not throwing away photos to forget, it's just clinging to what brings me joy now. I am traveling lighter!

Beautiful people...through our journey we find out that freedom comes from trusting God. 

Take some time to reflect on theses beautiful truths.

Then...

"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come Ps. 71:18)."

Prayer: Though there have been troubles, many bitter, Lord restore my life bring me up, comfort me once again. I praise you for your faithfulness, help me to tell of your righteous acts all day long. Amen.

Pass it on.

further quiet time needed? 

I recommend you listen to Remember by Lauren Daigle.