What made me smile today

Olivia had her first orthodontist apt today ~ it was a long apt and yet she did great ~ we were still in Portage at 5:30 and she was suppose to be at volleyball at 6:15 so we were in a bit of a rush ~ from the back seat I hear come on people we have a schedule lets get going ~then of course we hit yet another red light ~ Liv says in a goofy voice come on light turner people lets turn these lights green ~ So I ask Liv do you really they have people that turn the lights ~ YES mom :) Oh what goes through the mind of a 9 year old

Beauty

After listening to this song and a few others I felt so filled and blessed to spend time focusing on God and who He is, and where he opens my eyes to His beauty. It's all around and yet so many times my eyes and heart are not open to see it. I prayed that the Lord would continue to open my eyes to see Him. He sees every detail of me and yet I want to see more of Him, and know more of His character and beauty.

I was blessed to have a big chunk of uninterrupted time today and this prayer was answered very quickly. Have you ever spent time with God and he revealed something to you that you wanted to shout from a mountain, tell your best friend or hubby and yet you knew it was not the right time or maybe you would never tell anyone.

God gave me that beautiful moment of intimacy today and that is where I saw his beauty.

Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse NIV

Beauty is seen in
*sunsets
*sunrises
*Lake Michigan
*snowy days
*flowers in the spring and so much more

Another type of beauty that came to mind was in relationships
* seeing an 80 year old couple holding hands
* laughter of children
* husband and wife adopting a baby after trying to get pregnant for 3 years
* flying accross the country to surprise your sister for a girls weekend
Beauty in relationships is a priceless gift!

He created the heaven and the earth, mountians and the spring flowers and the amazing moments that we get to see or be a part of. Pray with me today that God would open our eyes to see more of His beauty because it is everywhere.

Making the right Decision

Romans 5:4-6 (New International Version)
4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Are you dealing with a situation that you know is character building? Maybe you are trying to buy or sell a house and it is just not happening. You are seeking God's direction and yet you feel like nothing is popping out at you. Maybe you are looking for a job and not sure if you should look into job A or job B. I remember a few months ago I was really hung up on making the right decision. I did not want to miss God's plan for me. I felt I should go in a certain direction but was that my own thoughts or was that the spirit guiding me? When I called to talk to a friend about it I really felt like I had to make a decision. It couldn't be both could it. She said don't get to hung up on the decision that you loose sight of God. If we focus so much on what to do next that can take up a lot of our thought process. So this time as I am faced with a decision I am just praying that His will be done. What will bring Him the most glory. Not what would I love or what do I want but what will glorify Him the most. This is NOT easy but I know that I am happiest in His will.
Exodus 33:21-23 Message
God said , Look, here is a place right beside me. Put yourself on this rock. When my Glory passes by, I'll put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I've passed by. Then I'll take my hand away and you'll see my back. But you won't see my face."

This verse was in my devotional this morning and it made me think about God's hand on our lives. He put his hand on Moses but he has given us the Holy Spirit. He is always with us to giude us and all we have to do is ask.

My favorite part of this verse is God saying look here is a place right beside me. I feel so comforted by that and it reminds me that my God is with me and has his hand in my life.

Love this song!!

The day ahead

Lord I want to join with you to tackle the day ahead. I have a lot on my mind, some of which could take my thoughts captive. I ask for a sound mind today and your wisdom in all situations. Your purpose and plan is greater than mine help me to remember that. Thanks you for all the beautiful summer days you have given me with the girls and help us to enjoy the last few. When I think of all the blessing you have given us the stressful situation become minimal. Thank you Lord for your guidance
I Love you

Real and True

His Faithfulness

As I tried to have a minute of quiet before the girls woke up this was the song
I kept singing. I was attempting to read but these were the words God wanted
for me today. So putting my reading aside I really thought about this song:

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness,
Lord, unto me!

Great is His faithfulness and yes unto me. Is it hard for you to
receive a compliment or gift from others. What about God?
When you know that God has given you a gift how do you respond?
His faithfulness is not something that is wrapped in a pretty pink package and yet
thanking God daily for His faithfulness is important. I so easy forget
all the ways he shows His faithfulness. I have been able to be a stay at home mom for
7 years and that is a huge gift for our family. I know that that is not His call on
every one's life but was for ours and His faithfulness has been revealed in that.
Great is His faithfulness!!
As I looked again at these words this verse came to mind

Psalm 40:3
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
My song was Great is Thy Faithfulness what is yours what is the NEW song in your mouth?