At peace

Work became frustrating this morning, so I took a walk around the nearby pond. I pondered all the reasons why I was feeling so annoyed when I suddenly slipped and twisted my ankle. I limped over to a tree and sat beneath the shade. Geese were all around as I sat there upset that I had slipped and hurt myself, feeling pretty sorry for myself.

The longer I sat there, though, I noticed that all of the tiny Goslings that I had watched grow over the last few weeks, were right before me. They were no longer tiny, yellow fuzzy babies. They were larger and fending very well for themselves. Of course, the mommas were still near by. I counted at least 22 Goslings.

As I arose and tried my weight on my ankle, it felt better and I continued my trek around the pond. As I neared the end of the walk, I looked back across the pond and the momma goose was swimming quietly along with all 22 Goslings trailing behind her.

I admit the worries of my life have really taken a toll on me over the last few weeks, but in that moment they all disappeared. I realized that I am going to have worries and hurts, but God in all His Wisdom placed this wonderful spectacle before me to remind me of His Presence with me.

I am at peace.

Praying Girl

Star Shepherd

Star Shepherd
Acrylic painting on canvas
24" x 48"

This painting was inspired by a December 22, 2009 devotional reading in Our Daily Bread and listening to Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God CD.

Scripture inspiration:
Isaiah 40:25-27
"To whom then will you liken Me,
Or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One,
Lift up your eyes on high,
And see who has created these things,
Who brings out their host by number;
He calls them all by name,
By the greatness of His might
And the strength of His power;
Not one is missing.
Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Isreal: "My way is hidden from the LORD,
And my just claim is passed over by my God"?
King James Version

Look Forward To Change

I sat by the Chiminea fire last night. It was so very peaceful. The air was cool. The backyard was lovelier than I ever remember it. The Marigolds and Petunias are still blooming as they have all Summer long. The bird feeders, the small Madonna and St. Francis statues are sweet reminders of my departed loved one. It was a pleasant evening in the crisp night air.


Dear Lord,
Thank you, Father, for that time communing with you. Watching the fire, singing Your Name. I loved the gentleness of the evening, the coolness of the Fall night. Everything is about to change as Fall approaches. For once, I look forward to change. I think I am ready for change.

Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You. I desire to be close to You. Live in my heart, in my mind, deep in my spirit. Speak to me from Your Word. Whisper Your love for me in my ear. Guide me in everything I do today. Shower me with the beauty of Your Presence all around me.

I humbly come before You robed in Your gift of salvation, repenting of my sinfulness, my weakness, my brokeness. Build me up, encourage me, fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit. You are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I worship You with my whole being--physically, emotionally and spiritually. I am nothing without You.

You breathed life into me the moment I was born and You breathed life into me when I was baptized and You breathe life into me every day. Thank You for breathing Your Life into me this day. Thank You for this day which You have designed for me. Annoint my life. It is all a gift from You. I am so thankful for Your generous gifts.

Fill me with your creativity. Show me. Let Your beauty flow from me, through me this day, today. I pray that my endeavors bring You Glory. Bring others to You, closer to You. Use my life to bring You delight and make You happy that You created me.

I love You, Father. I love you, I love You, I love You.

Amen,
Your Praying Girl

Blah, Blah, Blah...BITE

Ever been hurt by someone you thought you could trust? OK, how about by a person in authority, like a minister or a priest? That kind of betrayal has really knocked me to the ground, shaken me to the core. It's hard to forgive but necessary to move past the hurt. I tend to hold these men to a higher standard, but sometimes let's face it, they are still wolves in sheep's clothing. Blah, blah, blah...bite! That's what they do.

Today, I choose to do as Paul directed me from God's Holy Word. I'm just going to put on my armor, let the hurt go and try to move on...far, far away from the gnashing teeth! But, because satan is like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour, I'm going to keep putting on the armor until God calls me home.

Ephesians 6:10-20
Finally be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with TRUTH , and having put on the breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the SHIELD OF FAITH with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of SALVATION, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opeing of my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.

Dear God, please help me tonight to rest my head at Your Holy Feet knowing that You are ever present. I cannot see the answers, the way, the path. But, You, Almighty God, can. You will guide my steps. I choose to follow You. You, alone do I trust. Thank you, Father, that when everyone else fails me, You are truly honorable, good and trustworthy. You alone are worthy of praise.

Only You, God, can create the sunset.

Only You, God can make the raindrops.

So, why do I doubt that You will make a way for me in this wilderness?
I will trust You even when I cannot see the path.

Amen from the Praying Girl

I Opened My Mouth and Panted

I awoke this morning gripped with fear and gasping for breath. My stomach was churning and I felt as if I were paralized with doom and gloom. As I stumbled out of bed and started getting ready for work, the fear did not subside.

It was early enough that I had time to pray and write in my journal. As I wrote God a letter from my heart, I poured out my fears to Him. He listened politely and let me write it all down. When I was finished writing, I opened my Bible to the next verses in Psalms in my daily study.

God had been silent, patient and waiting to speak. And speak, He did! As I read His Words I could feel His Holy Presence and His encouragement and His everlasting love for me.

If you find yourself gripped with fear, unable to move, take courage dear friend. Open the Bible and let His Inspired Words enfold you with His everlasting love for you. Call upon His Name, and He will listen. Then allow Him to speak to your heart through His Word. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Psalm 119:129 - 149

Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.



My memory verse for today: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

May God bless you today and give you hope,

Donna