The Face of Encouragement

I've had a period here lately where I have been praying heavily for many things, and one has been encouragement. Encouragement for myself and my family as are hearts are heavy and weary with this leg of service in our lives and we are all very much looking ahead to the moment when we can fully sigh with relief and soak in some time of each other, uninterrupted. 

When I pray something such as this, it is always overwhelming to witness God's response. When He is ready to move on our behalf, he doesn't do it just a little. No, He does it in a way that we have no chance of denying that He has been with us. How grateful I am! How grateful that He is indeed always with us, and, that He loves us so deeply to remind us in very personal ways that touch our heart like nothing else. 

Today I pray that I can be that for my family. 

That I will not miss an opportunity to lift them up and show them my love for them, each in their own personal way. 

Today I pray that I will not be distracted by the things that are out of my control, but instead, I will rest in the knowledge that He is sovereign over all.

Today, I hope we are a light in a dark room that proclaims His glory so clearly that tension and disorder fall away and TRUTH is left standing.

While I also pray for results, more, I pray for His will in our lives and for His peace and protection to blanket us as we wait for His timing to reveal His perfect plan.

"The hedges, or hindrances, are right for us, or He will quickly remove them. And doesn't it stand to reason that whatever seems to block our way may also provide for our protection?" 

~Frances Ridley Havergal

Trusting, Waiting, Hoping,

The Beauty of Mother Bear

My boys and I are reading the delightful story of Little Bear by Else Holmelund Minarik and I'm not sure who is loving it more! (not to mention the girls instantly halt their lessons to listen along as well!)

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Mother Bear is such a real, loving, playful and beautiful mother that I just enjoy learning from and being encouraged by. 

Simple Pleasures!

And a reminder that all mother bears also have another side that I equally admire...

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FIERCE: A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path. (Agatha Christie)

One of the great balances of life!

National Adoption Month

A flicker

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It's there.

It may just be a glimmer.

It may still be far in the distance.

BUT......

It's there.

And some days, that's enough.

Psalm 71:14 "As for me, I will always have hope."

Fairytale Ending Please!

Sometimes we have an idea of how things should be. 

I know I do.

Sometimes that includes a fairytale ending. And sometimes what we thought to be the original idea of a perfect, fairytale ending changes. This can be challenging and emotional for sure.

But our hope lies in this....TRUTH.

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."

He already knows the end of our story.

He already knew the circumstances that face us this day were coming. 

He knew what our reaction would be...positive or negative.

Jeremiah 18:4 "But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him." 

He is not surprised.

He loves us either way.

He wants good for us.

Jeremiah 29:11 "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."

In all that I face, I must trust Him. I must abide in TRUTH.

Jeremiah 31:17 "So there is hope for your future, declares the Lord."

I will wait for Him. For His best. For I am certain His fairytale ends far more beautiful than any I could conjure in my simple mind!

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory for ever and ever."

Depending on His Grace to make it all possible.

Where Are You?

"Wherever you are - be all there." - Jim Elliot

Do you ever struggle with this?

I do.

Like you I'm sure, if I start to list all I am in a day the list can quickly grow on and on. I find myself often just attempting to keep up. But this quote challenges me so deeply. And for whatever reason, I feel God has made purpose for it to fall into my path multiple times this week. I am trying to heed. Trying to listen.

 

It really is SO MUCH BETTER when I am fully present. 

My Life - Gloriously busy, beautifully messy, overwhelmingly blessed.

What could be better?

 

Ah, Fall......

 Yes, normally this would be a sign of spring, but seems we have a little late bloomer. This little guy fell from his nest just outside our carport and we discovered him hiding in the corner of our carport. We hastily put the cat indoors and struggled with whether we should allow his family the chance to return for him or whisk him away to our own handmade safety. In the end, daddy's recommendation of giving him a fair chance with his family won out. We did however watch and listen carefully the rest of the evening until we saw and heard some adult birds arrive that seemed to be echoing his desperate little cries. We hope he is safe and sound where he was meant to be now.

A sweet reminder of this old song...