If I had my way I’d store up grace like green beans-stacking one can atop the other “just in case”.
Then I could decide if and when to open it up and pour it out.
But grace isn’t like that. It’s a perishable though infinite commodity-like manna.
When God led the Israelites into the desert, He promised to feed, nurture and sustain them.
Read the rest here: Daily Bread: His Provision Is Sufficient
The world can make a heart panic, scrambling to pile up extra lest “the worst” befalls us and suddenly there’s not enough.
That’s what happened a couple years ago when, for some unknown reason, toilet paper became the currency of security.
But no matter how deep or full the pantry, stuff can’t keep us truly safe.
Ask me how I know.
Read the rest here: Thanks And Giving
The world can make a heart panic, scrambling to pile up extra lest “the worst” befalls us and suddenly there’s not enough.
That’s what happened last year when, for some unknown reason, toilet paper became the currency of security.
But no matter how deep or full the pantry, stuff can’t keep us truly safe.
Ask me how I know.
Read the rest here: Thanks And Giving
I originally shared this post a couple of years ago when I was delightfully surprised by a row of beautiful sunflowers one morning just when I needed them most.
It was the beginning of a long, hot and very stressful summer.
Many of us are feeling the same way about this one.
When I ran across this reflection, I decided to share it again. I hope it makes your heart smile.
❤ Melanie
I love, love, love sunflowers!
Always have.
I love their bright aspect that brings a smile to my face no matter what mood I’m in or what trial I’m facing. Their happy, heavy heads declare that today is a day to shine!
Read the rest here: Sunflowers Sing Praise
This is a hard, hard thing to grasp.
A painful lesson to learn.
But it is truth:
The provision of God is adequate for my pilgrimage. God does not fail to see, know, understand, care, love, and ultimately to work all things ‘in conformity with the purpose of his will’ (Ephesians 1:11). His love is constant, though sometimes unfelt. His presence is assured, though sometimes He seems far away. His plan is good, though sometimes I hurt. For this present time I see dimly, mere faint outlines of all God’s purposes and plans. Yet I believe that His ways are better and His thoughts are higher than my own. In my time of trouble, my understanding is not crucial. It is my confidence in the person, the goodness, and the sovereignty of God that is the great, indispensable necessity.
~James Means, A Tearful Celebration
When my children were young, we made a habit of listening to classic books on tape as we made the miles between our rural home and all the places we had to go. It was glorious to learn together, explore together and build up a reservoir of common literary references.
One of the books we listened to was Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan.
In it, Christian, the main character, is making his way toward the Celestial City. Along the way he meets all sorts of characters representing various temptations and snares common to all of us as we journey through this life.
I learned much from that book, the most important of which was this:
“To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond it. I will yet go forward.”
The road is hard. The journey long. The way perilous and uncomfortable.
But I will go forward, trusting that the Lord has made every provision for my pilgrimage.
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who’ve set their hearts in pilgrimage as they pass through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs. The autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength until each appears before God in Zion.”
~Psalm 84:5-7
I’ve always been this way-careful as I walk through the woods. I don’t remember a time when I could crash unaware of what was underfoot.
So when springtime brings the violets, I find myself zig-zagging this way and that to avoid crushing them as I go about my daily chores.
Often obscured by last year’s leaves-I can make out the vibrant purple peeking from underneath-if I’m paying attention.
But there are plenty of folks who make it all the way through March and April without ever seeing them.
And that makes me sad.
They are so beautiful.
I consider them a gift.
It’s easy to race through life and never take note of God’s gifts. We get busy and distracted and overwhelmed by the need to make a living and we ignore the Lord of life.
If I am going to SEE what He’s doing, how He’s providing, where He is blessing, I have to open my eyes.
But once I do, I find that blessings pop up everywhere.
Just like springtime violets.
thelifeididntchoose 