New Every Morning

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.   They are new every morning;  great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23  NIV

          Sometimes, by the end of the day, we feel like giving up.  There are so many stressors and emotions that cloud up our days.  It’s almost as if when you finally get to sit down you feel how drained you actually are.  Drained physically, emotionally, and even spiritually. 

          That’s why I’m so thankful for this verse from Lamentations.  It reminds me that no matter what circumstances come up in my daily routine, I’ll not be overtaken.  I might get tired, but situations won’t overpower me.  And an even greater hope?  To realize that His love and compassion are new every morning!  I’m so thankful for that promise because on some days, it’s the only thing that drags me outta bed when the alarm goes off!  So, for now, I think I’ll leave the things of today right here and start fresh in the morning!  J

The Master’s Masterpiece

      I love the changing seasons, but fall is my favorite.  There’s a crispness in the air and for me, it’s the time when I think about life in general.  When fall rolls around it’s almost as though another year has come full circle.  Days seem to be filled with beautiful colors and counted blessings.  There’s a sweet quiet peace that comes along with fall.

      Our lives are like the changing seasons.  We experience so many different things.  There are seasons of happiness, seasons of sorrow, seasons of longing, seasons of forgiveness, seasons of moving forward:  They are forever changing.  Some seasons in our lives we will undoubtedly enjoy more than others, but He has given us each one.  He has placed that season in our life for a reason and it’s up to us to praise Him through each and every one.

      I like to think of fall time as the time when the Lord picks up His paintbrush and creates a work of art with beautiful colors.  Our lives, no matter what season you might be facing, is just another example of the Master’s masterpiece.  Make Him proud of His work!

^“ He changes times and seasons…”

Daniel 2:21  NIV

It’s Nice to Go Home

      I’m a worry-wart when it comes to most things, and taking trips is no different.  I get stressed and worried before I even leave.  I think of every bad thing that could happen and then convince myself that it will:  I might get eaten by a shark at the ocean/I might get bitten by a snake while camping/I might get bed bugs from a hotel…the list could go on for days! 

      Once I’m there, I have a great time, but no matter where I’m at or how much fun I’m having, there comes a time when it’s nice to come home.  It’s nice to be on the road and start seeing familiar sights.  It’s nice to think about what is waiting for you when you get there:  you home and life.

      Heaven is just like that.  Down here has just been a little trip.  It’s been fun.  There’s been happy times and celebrations.  There’s also been disappointments and heartaches.  But one day I’ll begin to see those familiar sights.  My Papa who I would love to drink a Diet Pepsi with again.  My Grandpa who missed the majority of my life.  My Grandma who I never got to meet.  A baby cousin who never got to know life down here.  When I start seeing those sights, I’ll breathe a little deeper and know that I’m almost home.    

“After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

1 Thessalonians 4:17  NIV

Being a “Martha” Isn’t So Bad

      We all know the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible.  How everybody wants to be like Mary…the sister who sat at Jesus’ feet and hung onto every word and action.  Nobody wants to be a “Martha”.  But I have found that I relate better to Martha.  The one who seemed a little high strung and couldn’t let go of her responsibilities.  The one who works and sometimes gets frustrated and says or thinks, “must be nice to sit around but SOMEONE has to get things ready!”  (Hopefully I’m not the only one who thinks that at times! lol)   

      I can’t honestly say that if I knew Jesus was in town and coming to my house, that I wouldn’t be cleaning and cooking and trying to make things perfect.  Mary was more of a “feeler”.  She liked to listen and learn and feel Him.  Martha, on the other hand, was a doer.  She liked to make things happen.  So much so that she tried to boss Jesus around and make Him make Mary help.  (Now that’s when you KNOW you’re stressed and frustrated, when you start bossing Jesus around!  Lol) 

      Yes, Martha missed out on quality time listening and worshiping Him.  But I don’t blame her for spending time preparing things.  I think that evening Martha was probably the last one to eat because she was making sure everything was ready:  the tables, the food, the dishes, etc.  But maybe when all that was done, everyone had eaten and it came time for coffee, she relaxed and had her time with Him.  Time talking and worshiping. 

      Neither sister had more or less faith than the other.  If you recall it wasn’t Mary who ran to Jesus after Lazarus had died, it was Martha.  Mary was too heartbroken:  she was “feeling”.  Martha was heartbroken too, but she wanted something done about it:  she was being proactive.  She didn’t love Him any less than Mary did, she just showed it different. 

      I understand the point of the story was to remind us to put worship at the top of our priority list.  But I also understand Martha’s perception:  someone has to do it!  Just like Martha, there have been plenty of times when the Lord has had to gently remind me to relax and just feel Him.  But also, just like Martha, I love Him and every aspect of my life is open to Him.  So I’m okay with being a “Martha” right now!   

^“ When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.”

John 11:20  NIV

When “Not Enough” is the Perfect Amount

         There are so many times when we get discouraged and feel like we are not enough.  Every relationship and situation in our lives requires a certain amount from us.  Whether it is your job, friendships, marriage, kids, it takes from you.  And when circumstances don’t turn out how we hoped or planned, we self evaluate and think, “it didn’t turn out right because I wasn’t enough.”

          I’m so glad that there is 1 relationship where “not enough” is perfect.  Don’t get me wrong, our relationship with the Lord still requires energy and effort, but when we fall short (and we always do!), He steps in and picks up our slack.  He makes us enough by giving us grace and strength.  

          Think of all the people we read about in the Bible…not many of them were “enough”.  Moses stuttered.  Rahab was a prostitute.  Jonah was a runner.  Esther was an orphan.  Jacob was a liar.  Abraham was old, really old.  And last but not least, Lazarus wasn’t even alive!  None of those things seem “enough” to me, but God never discarded them; He used their shortcomings.  He equipped them and empowered them to do His work.

          I’m so thankful that when I am having the “I’m not enough” pity party, He reminds me that sometimes not enough is the perfect amount to do great things for Him. 

“Our God…we have no power…but our eyes are on You…”

2 Chronicles 20:12  NIV