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. 

WHAT AM I LONGING?

What am I longing for?
Well, to be honest if the question was, what food am I longing for I would definitely say "Filet Mignon"!
If it was TV show I would say this BBC MASTERPIECE show called Poldark!
If it was a movie I would say maybe a Spider Man Movie or a good Rom-Com!

We know Americans are obsessed with taking care of our bodies mmm sometimes our mind, but what about the soul?

The first time I realized who HE was. I felt remorse, joy, hope, loved, forgiveness especially peace!
I had missed those feelings. Lately...

When I ask to settle down, to honor Him, to be still...can I get quiet enough? I can and in fact those feelings of hope are here with me.

I felt a stirring in my soul as if I had read this passage for the first time.

Reading...I have full access to knowledge through my relationship with Christ.
Knowledge, understanding, wisdom, will of His, power, strength, able to live a life worthy of bearing fruit, according to His glorious might so that...I can have great endurance, patience and joyfully giving thanks to the Father...

this next part blows my mind because some have said of me, you are weak, she needs help, she can't do that on her own...

but...
He says, "He has qualified me!"

Me...qualified...do you know you are qualified?  The prayer to grow in this truth...Colossians 1.

The question comes...what am I longing for in my soul?

What?

I am quiet...

My heart speaks...to please you...I make that into a prayer! Lord I want to please you.

A soft whisper within me gives this reply.

Live a quiet life...mind your own business.

Where is that?
I have read it before.
I Google search it in the bible.
1Thess. 4:11-12
The theme of this chapter is...Teaching concerning development in orderly living.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, SO THAT your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Please God.
Yes!

How does this pertain to my struggle.

I am qualified.
I have full access.
I will have the peace of God to lead me.

My prayer, will you pray with me.
my soul longs for you, thank you for qualifying me, thank you for the full access to you, lead me. Amen.

Our lives get entangled in so much. So many thoughts...questions like why are they doing that?...or why did they go there? Is it my business. Is this helpful questions or thoughts that I want to get entangled to?

If you catch yourself being more worried, anxious, feeling out of sorts...perhaps you aren't minding your own business.

I'm just sayin!

When we want to lead a peaceful life we (I'm talking to myself) we have to be CARE FULL!  We are care about our minds well being and we need to be cautious...Is it FULL of the right thoughts?

SO MUCH LOVE

I watched them playing and tumbling, just having so much fun. No matter what they do I could sit and watch them for ever.

My grandsons...no matter what I can't get enough. The love is immense.

My heart ponders.
Could it be?
Could my beloved Father in heaven love me this much?
Could He look at me and no get enough?

I have to believe.
I have to!

I picture myself cuddling my grandsons. Sitting them on my lap holding their face in the nape of my neck.

I picture Jesus...holding me and stroking my hair. Removing my hair from my brow. Loving me. Protecting me. Wanting the best for me.

Do I believe?

He must love me...He says He loves me.

He calls me His beloved.

WHEN NO ONE WATCHES

My mom, grandmother, Dr. Mullen, John all gone ten years ago. Cliche: "Time flies".
Pastor reminds us, "Friends I tell you it is 100% sure that we will all one day die."

This goes through my mind when and no one knows. Time. Really death can occur at any age.  What age is acceptable these days? Is the trend anything under 90 is devastating? That is what I'm saying today since my dad is nearing 86.

We moved recently and you can't help but think we could be in this house like twenty-thirty years. Could be? Then my mind goes to something unhelpful. I use the words today to help myself and others...helpful or unhelpful thoughts, which am I or them are choosing to get through a rough patch. My unhelpful thought...mmm ten years went by fast...that is how it will be in this house. Comparing!
It is a snare to compare or even invite this conversation into my head or even your head.

These kind of thoughts just don't help. I think we can all agree with that. If death has and will continue to occur at any age, at any point in our life we could be in fear of death and go down a path of unhelpful thoughts of fear and despair.

This conversation in my head led to the Holy Spirit helping me by reminding me of the scripture Paul wrote, "