Stillness

Where can I find quiet

Where can I hear the stillness

In this noisy world 

The giggle of my girls

The honking of the geese

Returning from the south

The crackle of a fire

The whine of the dog

Begging someone to just throw the ball

And then I realize

You are in all those noises

You are behind

You are the source

You are the reason 

I can find the beauty in each of those sounds 

Meaning

Joy

Thank you.

Bearing Fruit

Prompt from Luke 13:8-9

Waiting.

I've done that.

I've been there.

And it is now

Now I am seeing the fruit

Now I am seeing that you are faithful

And that everything happens in your time

Not mine.

We can continue to let the tree grow.

We are planted in the right spot.

I was impatient but you have shown

You have proven to me again

And again

I do not need to be afraid.

I will continue to trust you.

Grace

I say to the LORD, "You are my God; I have no good apart from you." (Psalm 16:2)

Confess in prayer today that God is the goodness of our days, our breath, our life.

Apart from you, I am a shell.

Apart from you, I am weak.

Apart from you, I am unacceptable.

Apart from you, I am poor.

Apart from you, I am ordinary.

Apart from you, I am evil.

With you, I am filled.

With you, I am strong.

With you, I am accepted.

With you, I am rich.

With you, I am extraordinary.

With you, I am good. 

I have good. 

Lent Prayer 1

Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning. (Joel 2:12)

We are not alone here.

We are all connected. 

We must all return to the Lord.

There is no punishment for all because of one.

We are called to love.

I mourn the lack of love.

I mourn the lack of grace.

We are all on this journey together.

We need to give more grace to one another.

We need to give more love to one another.

Show me where grace is needed.

Show me where love is needed.

Remind me to give. Freely.

Without reservation.

Love Freely

The love that comes from faith does not ask, "Who will get into heaven?" or "Who will go to hell?" No, the love that comes from faith says, "Christ is near to you, as close as a whisper and within your heart." (Romans 10:6-8a, adapted)

This Valentine's Day, Lord, let me be your love, your light that shows others you. Guide me, put into my path those that need that love. Remind me so show love when I am impatient, frustrated, angry. I am not ready for the responsibilities that come with judging others. I want to love, give grace to those that I don't think deserve it. Love is not something to be earned but to be freely given. 

This is something I need to do.

This is something I want to do.

This is what is required, because you have freely loved me.

2016 Resolutions

1. 1000 Gifts: get to 1000 gifts by Dec 2016.

2. Track food -- know what's going in

3. 4-5 work outs each week

4. Anjali's clean eating challenge. Participate in at least 6 this year.

5. Menu planning. Plan out at least 1 week in advance.

6. One on one time with Maggie

7. A new church home