Looking Up

I'm sitting in my office which is half-way below the ground level and looking upward. Outside my windows are a plethora of flowers, yellow and orange coneflowers, lavendar coneflowers, purple butterfly bush, brilliant pink knock-out roses, hostas... What a busy world my garden is! Honey bees and bumblebees flit from one coneflower to another. Back and forth they fly in a never-ending journey. Butterflies blow softly in the breeze as they flutter on the tips of the purple flowered bush of their namesake.

It's Sunday, yet they continue in their efforts. It makes me wonder if we haven't fashioned our lives too much after these industrious creatures. Sunday is meant to be a holy day, a day of rest, a day to honor our Lord, and embrace our family.

Do you honor the Lord's day or are you one of those busy bees?

Love is the Key--Forty Days of Love

As I began my journey through the 40 Days of Love, I had no idea how it would change my life...or rather how it would change me. Through the six week journey, I learned the one thing that had kept God outside the door of my heart. Though I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, I hadn't had a life-changing event like some people. I asked God to come in, I prayed, but something kept that door closed. That something was forgiveness. Thought I had asked God to forgive me and I thought I had forgiven myself, and my enemies--the truth remained that I hadn't.

How could I be forgiven? I knew Jesus died on that cross for all of us, so that we could be forgiven, if we believed and if we asked. That's where the faith must come in. I had to believe that I was worthy of being forgiven. God loves all his children and he trusts that we will come to him with open hearts and open arms to receive his forgiveness and mercy.

As I moved through the 40 Days of Love series, I found myself believing that I had been forgiven and I truly forgave all my enemies. All the old baggage that reared up from time to time to grab me and bring out the anger from old hurts has disappeared. I haven't forgotten, but these things no longer have any control over my emotions. I don't hurt any longer. I feel truly cleansed.

Subsequently, love has filled my heart. I feel joy and face each new day with excitement and anticipation. I want to share my joy with everyone.

Love is the key. Love. Once you can love your neighbor as yourself, then true happiness will flood your soul. That love can only come through Jesus. Through believing, through faith, through true forgiveness.

May God's mercy touch you today and always.

Love is Patient, Love is Kind...

Recently I attended my grandson's wedding. I always cry at weddings, but I didn't cry this time. The setting was beautiful, outdoors beside a beautiful pond in a local stat park. I focused on the faces of my grandson and his bride as they spoke their vows. Shining faces filled with love and the excitement of a future together--forever.

God smiled down that day, blessing this couple, and blessing those who observed.

I felt so blessed to spend time with my grandson and his new bride at the reception, but even more so, when they came to the house on two separate occasions before they left for Arizona again. My grandson has grown into a strong, compassionate young man. I watched him grow up. Home videos capture the baby, the toddler, the school years, and now a man in a uniform who serves his country and has taken a bride.

I've never felt so blessed.

May God smile on your today.

Laughter is Good for the Soul

Do you remember when you were a small child gathered together with your friends for a sleepover? Remember how you made each other laugh and the laughter became contagious and you couldn't stop? I do. We'd hide our heads under the covers trying to keep the noise from carrying and that just made us laugh harder. I still smile at those memories.

I believe laughter is good for our souls. It revives the spirit. But, there are many who don't know how to laugh and they don't understand those who do. These are the people who press oppression on the souls who lift their hearts with laughter.

Today, I pray for all those who do not know the joy of laughter.