Additives

I have never really been one to watch what I eat.
Until recently that is. But that’s a story for another time.

I have many friends that are cautious of their diet and avoid most additives you will find in foods today, but that was just never something on my radar. While it takes a conscious effort and discipline to stay away from these things, it is something they want to do so they make it happen.

What's the big deal with additives you may wonder? I’ve been talking with the Lord about patience for some time now. Something I have always struggled with and something I continue to struggle with. So much so that I can hardly stand to wait on just a pot of water to boil! It’s something He’s been working on consistently with me, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when I recently asked Him what He was trying to teach me in a particular circumstance and His response was… drum roll, please… Yep, you got it- patience!

So I decided this subject deserved some (more) serious evaluation.
And here’s what He showed me:

Somewhere along the way, and I don’t even know where, I heard if you add a tad bit of salt to a pot of water it will boil faster. So my gullible self had been doing this for years. Yeah... Picture me standing by the stove waiting and waiting for the water to boil faster just because I added a pinch of salt. I never really tested the theory to see if it was true and turns out it is a false theory. Should I be surprised? Probably not. Because of the law of thermodynamics, it actually slows the process down.

In thinking about this, I got to wondering what things are in my life that I added thinking they would speed things up, but in the end actually slowed the process down? People, habits, poor attitudes, “stuff”? Yeah, all of the above. Sometimes you just pick these things up because they are the norm in your social circle or family of origin. However, the Lord does not intend for us to take on these things that are not of benefit to His purpose in our life. You see, the thing is… the Lord usually has a process He is taking you through and if you add something to that process you will not benefit fully from what he is trying to teach you.

How about as spring approaches, we all take a good look at our hearts and reconsider what needs to stay and what needs to go.

Let spring cleaning begin!   

Abundant Affections

When He takes something away...
He's always so good to give something better in return.

And on the tough days when I'm not so easy to love...
He loves me even harder.

When nothing else soothes the pain...
His love is the balm my heart craves.

His abundant affections overflow.

He stands beside me and He's all around me. Check out Bethel's, Come to Me here.

Kisses from the King

On this week of Easter...

Reflecting on the ultimate gift of His love...

When the realization hits that the Lord is stripping you of everything. 

Everything but His affection.

How painfully beautiful.

And oh, how abundant his affections.

"I've heard the tender whisper of love in the dead of night. And you tell me that you're pleased and that I'm never alone... It's love so undeniable I, I can hardly speak; peace so unexplainable I, I can hardly think... as you call me deeper still, as you call me deeper still, as you call me deeper still- into love, love, love."

What a good, good Father he is. Check out the full lyrics of Good, Good Father here.

Just a bit of his affections poured out on me on my last beach trip:

Beauty

Those beautiful nieces I was telling you about... here they are so you can see for yourself. #lovethem

"You are all together beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you."   Song of Songs 4:7

Forecast

The other day I looked up at the sky and it was rather overcast and gray. On a typical day this would not bothter me.

But THIS was not a typical day. THIS was the weekend my niece was to get married, you see. (Yes, I am old enough to have a married niece. *sigh* 2 married nieces, infact *smile*)
Remember the newlywed thing going on this year? *wink*

Back on topic...
The wedding was to be outside. And the last thing I wanted for this beautiful bride was rain.

So what did I do? Of course, I immediately texted my husband  asking him if he had looked at the sky lately and expressed my hope that the rain holds off. And of course, he immediately texted back assuring me he had looked up the forcast and it was supposed to be sunny.

What happened next? My spirit started doubting  (we're working on breaking that habit) but nonetheless it happened. Again.

But wait. It was an opportunity for a quick conversation with the Lord. As soon as my spirit started doubting I said to myself, "That sky doesn't look very promising."

And then the Lord asked me: "What skies do you have in your life that don't look very promising?"

Ummm... "Really, Lord? Do you really want me to start naming them? Because I got a few that don't look very promising right now."

And what do you think He said? "Sure, go ahead. Name 'em!"

So I did. I politely reminded Him of a few problems I've got going on right now.

And what do you think He did then? The gentleman that He is, He politely reminded me of the promises He's already given me for these problems I have.

And He also politely reminded me that no matter how gray or dark some of my skies may be right now, He has promised sunny skies in the end.

It's HIS forecast for ME.

There you have it.

Simpe Truth again: His everlasting love.

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
Romans 8:31

Let that sink in and work on healing those gray skies you have.

Next up: a small download about rain.
But first, watch for a few pics of these beautiful nieces I speak of  :)

Truth

I know... it's been a minute... but bare with me.

It's been a new season in life.

The newlywed season.

And with that comes the blending of 2 lives with lots of precious family and friends.

Not to mention the 7 weddings we have attended over the last year. (Including our own:) ) I knew we had been busy but sheesh! Hold off on the baby-maki'n, folks so we can catch our breath.

Back on track...

I've been having (and hearing) lots of conversations about truth lately.

One particular quote struck me. It goes like this:

"The truth may hurt, but the truth heals."

My next conversation was with a friend praying about the armor of God. Pretty sure there is a belt of truth in there.

Then the dots started connecting...

His. Truth. Heals.

Making the connection???

And then I saw this next quote:

"You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of ignoring reality...."
-Ayn Rand-


And then- bam. There it is. Sometimes reality sucks. Simple, but true. And sometimes it feels like it is easier to ignore reality than to face it. But truth of the matter is, ignoring reality will have much tougher consequences than facing it. No matter how hard reality is.

There it is, folks. Undeniable truth.

Next up: Those that accept His Truth have a bright forecast. But what about when those bright skies appear cloudy with no chance of sun? That epiphany next.

Until then, find your belt of Truth and buckle up :)

Sweet Spot

 

I've been saying for a bit, I would post my absolute, all time, most favorite wedding pic.

 

It's taken me a bit to get the words around what is really happening here, so bare with me while I try to explain all the emotion my amazing photographers captured for me. It's not a posed pic, you don't see our faces, and it wasn't even on "the list" of pics to get. But it was a moment and they captured the moment!

 

I heard the other day on the radio about gaining momentum... Like in tennis, for example. You swing that racket, but maybe the hit doesn't go exactly how you imagined. But you keep swinging and eventually you find your sweet spot. The spot where your wrist turns just right and you rock that swing. You've found your sweet spot, baby! And then the momentum begins!

 

That's what this picture is to me.
It's my sweet spot.

 

I have two of the greatest people by my side: my husband and my sister. And you'll see we are looking up at the sky. You may initially think we are looking at a flock of geese. But actually, we are looking at a flock of cranes. I'm not sure if a bunch of cranes is technically called a flock, but we're gonna go with it for now. K? :)

 

Those that know me, know that's my sweet spot with Jesus. I talked earlier about how hearts are a universal love language, but we also have individual love languages. Cranes are my personal love language (with Jesus that is... Don't everyone be going all crane crazy on me now!) and I always know He is near whenever I see them.

 

On this particular day, December 20, 2015 (the day I was to get married), it was unbelievable the number of cranes we saw. He's just that sweet to me- to fill my wedding day with cranes. Crazy to some, but sweet to me and those that know about my sweet spot.

I mean, if He gives me cranes every other day in school parking lots, flying over me on the interstate, in driveways, etc why wouldn't I think He's capable of giving me not only one crane, but a ton of cranes on my wedding day?  That's beside the point. I digressed...

 

The first time I heard of the cranes on the property was when I was inside getting my makeup done. My friend that was by my side with me all day had gone out to get something out of the car and told me about all of the cranes she had heard. Of course, my doubting self thought to myself; "What? Cranes? Out here in the middle of December?" And then the thought was shortly dismissed. 

 

Until... Later, this friend was outside again and told me she saw a huge flock of them flying over. "Okay." I thought. "You've got my attention now." I mean, I knew He was there on this extra special day, but with a bunch of cranes? Yes- He loves me that much. Now, I was dying to get outside so I could experience this myself.

 

Low and behold (after being told of several other sightings from various other people with me that day) we were outside taking some photos before the ceremony when we heard the cranes squawking while they flew overhead. I immediately ran out from the covered dock where we were taking pictures so I could get in my "sweet spot" and see these cranes for myself. I hollered for my photographers to get pics. They probably thought I was nuts for wanting pics of this. Wonder how many other brides have demanded photos of passing cranes?? This was a sweet, sweet moment and I'm forever thankful it was captured as a memory forever. And not only did they get this moment with the cranes but they got even more as they were flying overhead literally all day long!

 

There continued to be numerous sightings that day of these cranes. There's no other explanation other than He knows what He's doing and He knew I'd need that reminder to get in my sweet spot; in His presence when I'm loosing momentum.

 

Never mind there were absolutely no other crane sightings on the property during the several pre-wedding day visits we made to the site. He's just that good to put them there on MY special day just for me because He loves me THAT much.

 

I'll post more of the other crane pics later, but for now find your sweet spot and enjoy :)