i am not alone

Thomas Merton's
Prayer of Abandonment

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.

Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you and I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road although I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death,

I will not fear, for you are ever with me and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2oel0_Xa54

I Am Not Alone by Kari Jobe

Is another gift on the way?

Last time I got a middle of the night let-me-tell-you-something message an Amazon "gift" of Christian literature showed up at my door a few days later. Can't wait to see what happens this time. Got another 2am Facebook chat last night. Because rational, responsible adults reach out at 2a wanting to communicate effectively, right?

Spring Sing 2015

Monday night was the spring program at school - At the Zoo. Madi's class had the song Animals in Action. Madi did a great job with the words and motions. Nana & Papa II, Aunt Donell & Uncle Gregg and Nana & Papa were there to watch. Rawley's class had taped a song earlier and it was played on the big screen so they got to participate. I thought that was a great idea!

Rawley telling stories while waiting for the program to start.

Madi has some of the silliest smiles:

The kids were given different pictures of fish and asked to paint their version of the pic. I think Madi did pretty awesome!

recent devotions that hit home

I love you for who you are, not for what you achieve.

 

Pitfalls of self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving up are all around you in times of struggle. Avoid the pit. It is infinitely more difficult to get out of the pit than it is to keep a distance from the edge. The edge gives way easily; keep your distance. Find praise even in the struggles for the more preoccupied with thankfulness you are the less time you have to feel sorry for yourself. “Thank you Jesus for this opportunity to trust you more.”

 

I am with you. You may feel you’re in a freefall or can only focus on the negative in your life but look to Me for help. I am your shepherd. I make all pieces work together for My good but only to the extent that you trust Me.

 

You will not find lasting peace in objects, in money, in circumstances or in human relationships. Do not compare yourself to others. Each person has their own path in life designed just for them.

 

Walk purposefully with the Lord each day. Do not bolt into the day like a racehorse suddenly released. Allow God to take charge of the day, follow His lead. Multiple times each day make the choice to trust Him.

 

Future things belong to the Lord. Do not worry about tomorrow. Do not try to fit today into yesterday’s mold. Live within the boundaries of today. Worry is an act of rebellion, doubting His promises to guide, care and protect. Return your concerns to Him and rejoice when the next step forward is revealed, and the one after that, and the one after that. He is faithful.