Simple Thoughts

Psalm 66:20 “Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld His love from me.”

What a blessing! What a privilege! We can speak to God. He hears our prayers when we humble ourselves before Him. What a source of peace, knowing He does not withhold His love from His dear children.

I am so thankful there was a point in my past, when I was walking in darkness, that God shed His light on me, on my sins, revealing Himself to me. What about you? Are you struggling in unbelief, searching for a source to bring peace to your life? it is not found in stuff, in people, in jobs, but in the life-sustaining, life-cleansing, life-giving blood of Jesus. Meet Him at the cross. Lay your burdens at His feet. Confess your sins. Turn your life over to Him. You will find the peace you have been searching for. As you grow now in knowledge and wisdom of your Savior, you will experience joy as you live for Him.

Isaiah 50:10 “Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on their God.”

Sitting on the porch, enjoying the gentle, cleansing rain. Looking at the trees. Watching the birds find shelter in the branches. My eyes then refocus on a cardinal that has just perched itself on a branch. Unable to camouflage itself in the greens and browns, standing out. It is gone quickly, searching for a better shelter from the rain.

Are we trying to camouflage out lives within the world we are living in? Blending in, not bringing attention to ourselves… or… are we like the cardinal? A bright light, standing out, sharing Truths, shining our light to the One we praise, to the One True God that is The Light of the World!

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

Songs sing about it. Retailers sell it. Cosmetic companies advertise it.

Looking back at my twenty-something youthful years, before marriage, kids, careers, obligations, then yes, it was fun, exciting, freeing. But did I want to stay there? No! The job was just a job, not a passion that I loved. I wanted to keep moving forward.

So why now, as a wiser, older woman, would I want to be “that” again.

God did not mean for us to stay stagnant, to stay at that “one” age. He wants us to grow in faith, grow in love, grow in wisdom, grow in knowledge. If, as a believer, we are looking to grow up in our Christian walk, then shouldn’t our dress, our speech, our actions reflect this of a more mature Christian?

Job 12:12 ” Wisdom is with aged men, and with length of days, understanding.”

Porching. A verb. Definition: to sit on the porch to rest, relax, converse, to be outside.

I am porching right now. The heat of the day has passed, dinner and clean up are complete. Now for some porching. I think we all need to do a little porching. Do it alone and enjoy the solitude and being one close to nature. Do it with others and enjoy the conversations, laughter, fellowship.

Everyone should add a little porching to their day.

Psalm 62:5 “Wait silently for God alone.”

People ask me, “Where do you get your inspiration from? When did you know you were a writer?”

I chuckle at the second, not believing I am a writer, rather, I write what God lays on my heart. To the first, inspiration and ideas come to me in my alone time: waking, driving, preparing for the day, walking, sitting, relaxing, thinking. I’m not much of a talker and I enjoy peace and solitude. Growing up in a family of 8, then raising 3 boys, I need that alone time, I look forward to it! The quietness helps me to recharge my battery, to re-energize, to prioritize.

Perhaps alone time, quiet time scares you. Maybe you don’t want to be alone with your thoughts. It is there, though, you can pour your heart out to Jesus. He is the answer that you seek. He is the relationship you desire.

Step out of your comfort zone and embrace the quiet as you wait for God to come. He will meet you there.

Psalm 105:4 “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.”