Journal For The Journey

Share Hope

2011-12-31T06:39:00.000-08:00

Something happened recently that made me aware of a change in myself. As I was listening to someone that is really hurting I realized that I am becoming more and more able to just trust God; and wait for direction.

This is a skill I have not developed much in the past. Faith is hoping in things unseen. As I learn to trust more and more; my life becomes more peaceful. It is not that difficulties do not come, they do. But is that now as I trust God more with these difficulties I have hope. Each thing becomes something that either builds my character or teaches me compassion and I learn more wisdom.

I thank God for the skills I am learning. My life is not easy; but trusting him more as made the road much easier to travel.

We live in a world of so many difficulties at times. I have deep compassion for the pain many are suffering. I think, for me, one of my duties as a Christian is to love others and share hope. Today I move forward: thankful for the blessings and seeking to encourage those that suffer. I want to share hope. Peace on Earth and goodwill towards all mankind.

Little Blessings Make a Life of Joy

2011-12-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

I guess I take after my father and aunt- I am an early, early riser-4:00 A.M.

This morning I was up and lit my Christmas trees; lit my candles and sat in the room praying, listening to music and thinking. What blessings we have when we take the time to just list the blessing in each day: friends, faith, and little blessings like candles, music, Christmas cookies, life with others.

I hope that you find peace and joy in your life today and that blessings surround you as you take time to just rest. Be blessed...

Wait On the Lord? Find the Blessing

2011-12-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

My son is living at home. He is 29, and I have a very different point of view than my husband about him being here. The stress has been great; and I have not done as well as I should with it. The past three days I have been sleeping to avoid life; carrying a large headache and wondering what to do.

This morning I was up at 4:00 A.M.; headache remaining and feeling overwhelmed again. I am also trying to learn to deal with stress without over eating which is my past way of dealing with stress. Negative and critical conversations were running through my head this morning. I was angry with my son because I did not feel he was trying hard enough to get a job, and angry with my husband for being so passive and not working with my son.

I went around pacing I was praying. "God how do I deal with the stress without over eating?" After an hour of pacing I sat down and decided to just open the bible and see if it could comfort me. Basically my Bible fell open to a passage like this.... "Stop worrying, trust God and do good."

I was bugged! "Do good! What, I am one the here that is a prisoner in my own home. Why should I do good?!?!" But I decided to do my best to follow this counsel.

Doing good for me was getting away from the house; cooling down, getting space. So I went to town and stayed for two hours. I prayed. I prayed for wisdom, kindness and patience. As I was "window shopping", I got an idea. Why not buy simple gifts to give to people I knew were having a difficult time? I did buy little gifts that may bring cheer.

By the time I went home, I felt better. Then miracles happened. First I found something I have been looking for, for over a month. Then when I opened the door I was greeted by flowers from my husband; and my son announced he had a job! In addition to the good news that met me when I came home; was the blessing of delivering little gifts. It was fun seeing people respond to someone thinking of them.

God was right. Do good, don't fret and then find joy. So simple to say- not so easy to do. Sometimes doing the right thing may not seem right: but the reward comes when we obey. Today ended sweet. Hope your day was blessed and wonderful also.

Today Is A Blessing

2011-12-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my house almost caught on fire. I could smell rubber burning but could not find the problem. I was worried, and then I finally found a melting plug. Of course, I was re leaved when I found the problem but it was amazing how calm I was.

Every day is a gift, isn't it? Today, I count my blessings. Another day of life....

What a gift to count. May you find joy today.

2011-12-19T05:53:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was just a simple day of chores. I hit the market at 4:30 A.M. and was able to take my time looking at the things. A great sale was going on; so I stocked up on items that we use regularly and relaxed during the day. My day included a Christmas concert; home made soup and making a batch of healthy granola for Christmas breakfast.

As I ended my day I realized how blessed we are. My husband is employed. That is a gift. We have food to stock, that is a gift. I am making healthy choices in my life. Good health is a gift. We are abundantly blessed.

I have found for that when I inventory my life and focus on the small positive things; my appreciation of life grows. It reminds me of the text that says,"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Daily finding joy; brings a life of joy. May your day be blessed as you inventory your daily blessings. Have a blessed day! Smile.

2011-12-17T06:56:00.000-08:00

Christmas in my family is a "big" deal. I am not sure all of it is a good thing-as we can be excessive but as I reflected on why it is such a big thing I knew. It's my mother. I believe you could look the whole world over and not find a mother as committed as she is. She is a walking witness of unselfishness and love. Her hands baked many cookies growing up. Her feet climbed many ladders to decorate. My mother soon will be 80 and her whole life has been given to service.
So as Christmas is here I take time to reflect the love and compassion I have been blessed to receive by so many people; and that is the great lesson she taught me. Serve others, love and live. Thank you Mom.

Thank You

2011-12-14T21:56:00.000-08:00

Sometimes a person just has to wonder if life could be any better.

Today my life could have been featured in some kind of sappy movie: it was so perfect...homemade soup and bread, lunch with our son and great bible study with friends.

These are times that I just pause and say, "Thank you, for another wonderful day....."

May you find joy today; and peace.

Bitter/ Sweet

2011-12-13T21:04:00.000-08:00

Today was bitter/ sweet; you know, the kind of day where there is good and bad. The good was a young woman that I have been mentoring for four years told me she loves me and I am a part of her life forever. The bad is that I found out I had been robbed.

Just an odd day. I downloaded a cookie recipe though and thought how much it is like life: bitter/sweet. Cranberry Orange Cookies allrecipes.com The base is cranberries and orange. It received a great review and my son, a professional baker thought them so good he asked how they were done. So...

there is my lesson today. In the end the cookies were sweet. It took work to make; as I chopped lots of cranberries, but with effort a sweet treat.

I have changed in my life. Everyone has difficulties and sometimes it just seems that life can be overwhelmingly sour: too sour. It is when those moments happen I realize I have a choice. I will face life as it comes. Take the sour and hopefully leave something sweet instead.

I made a big mistake in my life and that was not to focus on abundance in it. Today, I enjoy hope and peace. My wish is to share it with others that they may find life hopeful.

To Obey is to Find Joy

2011-12-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

This may not sound impressive but I have lost three pounds in nine weeks. Ha. Ha...well it is impressive for me. You see I have an anxiety disorder that freaks out over constraint. I can not do a "diet' as just the pressure triggers anxiety-yeah, it's strange alright.

Many years ago I believe God said to me: "Get your health together." My answer, "No."

Now obviously that is not an impressive answer, but it was the reality of it. I liked being fat. As a young woman I always worried, worried, worried about my weight. Every window became a mirror to me. I was obsessed with my weight. So when my husband told me he did not care what I weighed: I loved it. When God said he did care: I refused it. But the one thing I did do was pray for a change of heart. I knew I was in rebellion. So for years I have been praying- "God change the heart." And finally I said, "Okay, I am ready God. I must take it slow; but ready to learn how to live in a healthy world."

Nine weeks ago I started my journey. I have made many, many mistakes. I am learning. I have crashed and burned, so to speak, several times too. But the weight is coming off and I am feeling better and better. I am exercising and the first time in my life to loose weight at a holiday time.

That's nice and I wish I had obeyed earlier....but today, each day, God says is new every morning. So I am off to my raw veggies which I so much love....Have a blessed and happy day....full of joy!

Joy to the World!

2011-12-11T22:33:00.000-08:00

I had the most amazing last two days. I simply have to laugh at myself. I do feel like the Mad Hatter in many ways- am I coming or going? Yesterday I basically had three Christmas events to do: a breakfast for my Women's Group, a lunch for my parents and cookie baking with my Mom all on one day.

Today, Sunday we finished my bedroom- finally and I love, love it. THANK YOU DARLING HUSBAND FOR THE GREAT WORK!

What is running in my mind is so many good things..and a few bad. Okay, just one bad thing.

I LOVED these past two days; so busy, but one thing that bothered me is that I had someone that on a very regular basis posts on Facebook "hate mail" to me. In general it does not bother me. It is abusive, rude and offensive. He is very disturbed by my faith and almost daily tells me that people of faith are fools, deceived etc. Often these comments roll off my back. Faith is faith. I do believe. I do not believe it is my job to be critical of those that don't and this man came to me I did not go after him. I am not angry with him either. As he "beats me up", I am filled with deep compassion for him. I wonder why the hate and why I have been chosen as his beating block.

Me? Love God, love others. If he is that hurting- let him beat, how does that really get me? It doesn't because I am so touched with his pain. But as I was thinking all day of another abusive post; I realized I had to remove him from my "friends list". I have a policy that I surround myself with people I respect and want to be like.

His abuse is posted on my sites and page, and I don't feel it is fair to readers to read the negative things he says. Even as I blocked him, I grieved. Twice I was able to have "good conversations" with him as I messaged him back after some abusive comment he posted. I was able to have a "decent" message from him, and he appeared bright...but why so bitter? In four years I have only blocked two people...and each person entering my life is a gift to me. So this gentleman has been are real pain, losing him was a loss. I really did care; here was a deeply pained individual I was blocking from my life....it just did not seem right.....

But let us twist this back to the positive; aw life......so good, so abundant...

Today, as I reflect on the time of the year I see so many wonderful gifts I have: my family, faith, friends and a home that just makes me want to dance. My heart is so filled with joy, I feel guilty at times to be so blessed...but sure glad! What amazing gifts life can bring....

Today. May you find peace, joy and abundance. Good will. Happy Holidays!

Traditions Not To Keep

2011-12-09T22:07:00.000-08:00

I went to a Christmas concert tonight at a church. Believing that this church would be singing traditional songs and hymns, I was disappointed to not see my old favorites. I saw a snow fairy; an ice queen and the wolf in the woods.

I was wondering what that had to do with the birth of Christ. Yet, I tried to keep my mind open and see more than I was seeing.....then the miracle happened. The program came to a conclusion that was anything but what I expected. The play became a modern day parable about the birth of Christ. It was a lovely finish with a modern twist. Perfect.

I need to do more than just be in church: my faith needs to speak to man as he is. I appreciate this church making a new twist that touches others in a way that is refreshing; artful and alive.

Happy holidays to traditionalists and non. Let us all remember to share Jesus in any way that loves mankind. For the reason of our season is to spread the good news sent years at his birth: peace, good will to man....Happy Holidays!

In General Interest

2011-12-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

For a long time I tried to write a little blog; that would be honest in life about faith and my walk with God. It was my way to serve others. But today as I opened my personal journal I saw saw many changes in my life. Changes I wished I had made before: reflections that I should have recorded earlier and now I see that I want to share from a different direction.

I always have tried to be honest; stating my concerns and positions. But even there: there was dishonesty because sometimes struggles I was having I did not print. Other times I made things "cleaner, purer and sweeter" than life was really dealing.

This was to keep all people comfortable and be a safe place. But the problem with that is that is also was not truly dealing with the realities that Christian's face. It was a "better image" of the realities in my life. Fake.

Today, I am changing. I am starting fresh. What I post here will be totally true; the good bad and the ugly. The only things that may be changed is the names or places of people that my transparency would affect. Then they may be changed.

I am not trying to convert anyone; and probably only people of faith would even be interested. I am not seeking to do anything except share my life in hopes that in some way my "story" will encourage the fellow journeyman. I am a believer. I believe in a loving God. I love my God and wish all people to have my faith. But I am in journey. I screw up; I fail and yet keep going.

This then, is simply my story. Take what you like; leave what you like. Do not feel condemned; as I do not condemn. If you have no faith; that is your journey and your experience. I will respect that too. It is God's job to visit you. I hope he will; because for me it brings peace and I wish joy and peace on all mankind. It also is my path and I allow you yours.

God bless any reader.

Darkness

2011-09-10T14:44:00.001-07:00

Darkness. Have you ever been in total darkness? I have. My husband and I like to hike and one thing we have done is gone in caves. Without the light it is the most frightening and darkest place- no light, and great fear. There may be times in our lives when it seem all is dark; yet, Jesus says we are to be the light to the world. The light brings hope and brings courage- as well as direction.

Jesus is the true light of the world; we simply reflect the abundance he has given us. Today, seek to move from darkness by reflecting the light Christ has give you. You are the mirror; but he is the source. Give hope to other and point them from darkness; through hope in Christ.

Finding Joy Daily

2011-09-09T18:04:00.000-07:00

Love Life.

This week has been a painful one. I have been covered with poison oak and that's miserable. But today, we picked fresh tomatoes. Now I can choose to dwell on what is not of joy: or dwell on what is. I dwell on the good of God. It is joy to pick fresh food. It is joy to have a garden. It is joy to celebrate life.

As Christian's: I believe we need to seek peace. We know that Christian's will suffer; but peace comes from knowing all things God gives he blesses. So today- seek joy.

Phl: 4:12, 13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have pleanty. I have learned to be content in every situation......

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Praise God!

Poison Oak

2011-09-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

Today I am covered with poison oak. Oh, it is so painful but somehow I end my day in joy. Why? Well I think a lesson has been learned in my life. Pain often brings a blessing.

Think about winter; cold, bitter and yet there is the joy of loveliness in snow. The clean fresh air.

This pain births patience. Today, find joy. God bless you.

Getting On With Life

2011-09-06T16:05:00.001-07:00

Well I dropped writing because I could not figure out how to post pictures. Frustrated. I am back; not to be an ego person; but because I love others and God. Just seems the right thing to do.

I am back. God bless you.

In Peace

2011-05-19T08:39:00.001-07:00

Give God the Glory....

How lovely it is to be alone with God. It is in the silence that I find great wisdom. I find peace and live in gratitude. Today, may you find peace; joy and an abundant life.

Joy

2011-05-16T07:05:00.000-07:00

I have just gone through three of the most difficult days. I was so overwhelmed with stress it put me in bed yesterday. This is not the abundant life; to live this way. It is not God's way. My problem was to not trust God. Faith does not come from trusting what we know, it comes from trusting what we don't know. Either God is faithful or not. True joy comes from trusting all things are in control.

Today, I have joy; because I have decided I do not need to understand all things. I need to trust a God which does love me, and is in control. May you have joy today as well...knowing that a loving God is in control.

The Road

2011-05-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I became so stressed I could not work. Times are hard for many people in our country and with that means lack of funds. It has affected us too. We have rentals and of our six units: four have not paid their rents. I felt overwhelmed and panicked. I believe most of these renters will catch up- but it was the uncertainty of my situation that took me out. It was a lack of faith. Could God provide and would he?

I found myself back at an area that God has worked on so much. I struggled with trusting God.

I have been thinking about that. Isn't life a road? Our journey is what we make of it. When I live by faith and trust it is so much easier. God has brought me a long way in trusting him, and when I do the journey is so much more enjoyable. It is days like yesterday that make the journey unhappy. It is not that anything really changed. I believe things will work out eventually. It was the fear of the unknown that took me down. When we don't trust God, our lives become miserable. Trust lets us enjoy the journey no matter how unclear it may look at the time.

I hope that in the future, I trust God more. I know that he does provide and it is when I grasp this by faith that I feel joy and happiness. Today, may you find peace on your journey and abundance in the day. God bless you.

Discovering Joy

2011-05-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

My friends and I went to a retreat to learn how to help other people. The joy of it was two fold. The first joy was learning more about God. The second was knowing God is so big and abundant and longs to help the hurting. Now we look forward to being able to open our hearts to others, and letting God help and heal.

May you find joy and love today.

Find God

2011-05-01T22:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture from my yard. I love the flowers and God is so kind to bless us with so many things. Color, fragrance, eyes, joy of life. It is when we look for the lovely things in life that life seems more enriched. Today, seek what is good: for there you will find God.