Morning Thoughts

Journal—October 26, 2011
Good morning, Lord. The sun shines through the yellow maple leaves outside my office window. The sunrise was spectacular. I’m so glad I was able to grab the camera quickly. Thank You for such beauty to greet the newborn day.
I love You, Lord. Why is it so difficult for our finite minds to grasp Who You are? I suppose for that reason—our minds are finite and Yours is infinite. But, in the little bit of understanding that I possess, I praise You. You could take all the sunrises, every beautiful and majestic mountain, the glory of the sea and they would only be a poor showing for Who You really are. If we could grasp that, how different our lives would be. Help us, Lord to know You better and appreciate You more.

Do You Ever Have Days Like These?

The past months have been grueling. There is no other word to describe them. Mentally, you can reason out that all of this is good for you, that you are growing in the Lord, and all the cliche`s ad infintum. Those words may be true but when you are in the midst of the storm, it's easy to be blown this way and that, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. The last thing you want to hear is how God is doing great things in you. What you want is a hug or a hand clasp and the words I love you. I care about you and am praying for you.

I have been the perpetrator of cliche's at times, wanting to encourage and fix the problems of those hurting around me. However loving and valid those feelings are, I need to be aware that this is perhaps the last thing someone wants to hear. I want to be sensitive to the needs of others and that includes listening to them and really hearing what is being said.

Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have flounced into someone's life and rattled off some words or "comfort" and flounced back out. Attune my heart to Yours and allow me to be the conduit of the love You have for each person.

Storing Up Provisions

It's autumn and time to think about storing up things for the winter months. Barns are chucked full of hay and other grains. Domestic animals are assured of warmth, shelter and food within those walls, no matter what the weather. They are protected from predators as well.

Wild animals, especially the furry kinds are busy storing up their own goodies to ward off hunger during the lean months.

They instinctively provide for the long winter by storing food and making snug shelters. Balled up in the nests in trees, squirrels stay warm and snug.

During this time just past harvest, I store up spiritual food and shelter through God's promises to last me through the wintry months of life. I know I am in safe hands when I listen to the Word of God. He provides for me, covers me, keeps me safe, fattens me on the precious, life-giving promises and brings me through hard times.