The Chocolate Covered Strawberry

We went shopping for candy in Seattle. Our son and daughter wanted to pick out a couple sweet pieces for dessert. I didn't want candy, because I had eyed a chocolate covered strawberry, and that was perfect for me. So, we made our way to the chocolate store, and my husband asked for the strawberry. The lady gently guided a beautiful chocolate strawberry out of the case and put it in a golden bag. She handed me the bag, then walked to the register and rang it up. "Seven dollars, please" I smirked, and quickly looked the other way. My husband looked at me in shock, pulled out his wallet and reluctantly handed over seven dollars! "Well, that better be one good strawberry" he said, as we left the store. "Oh, it will be!" I chuckled.
I had no idea that strawberry was seven dollars! And, if I had known ahead of time, I wouldn't have wanted it. But, I certainly don't regret buying it, because it was worth the look on my husbands face. It wasn't very good planning on our part though. And, as often the case, poor planning gets me in a disaster in one way or another. All I can say is this: I am so very thankful I have a God that knows the plan! He watches out for me, takes care of me, He is the sweetness in my life. Sometimes my poor planning is costly, but always, He is there to walk beside me.
Say that Again, Jesus, You are there to walk beside me, everyday. I just love that!

Until next time....

Until next time....

The Lady on the Plane

I flew from Seattle to Charlotte North Carolina today. It was a long flight, and I'm tired now.  I didn't really sleep on the plane, I never do. It's just not that comfortable. This plane was full too.
On the plane from Atlanta To Charlotte, I was in line to get to my seat, just like everybody else, and the lady behind me was continually banging her suitcase into my back.  She would hit me, and then she would say "Oh, sorry." Then, two seconds later, she would do the exact same thing! Now, I can understand someone doing a back bang in a crowded aisle once, even twice, but ten times? I didn't even pray for patience today, I woke too early for that, but I'm thinking God wanted to test me on it anyway. I was biting my tongue by number three.
Those back wounds are the worse, and I know I've given them. And, I say the exact same thing! "Oh, sorry." Then what do I do? Yup, you guess it,  the sad part is, I know I do it to God too. I do the very thing I don't want to do. Over, and over, and over again.
Jesus, forgive me. Jesus, thank you for your grace and for loving me so much. Jesus, keep on saying that again to me, your forgiveness, grace and love for me are endless. 

The Monkeys

We went to the zoo today. My son and daughter wanted to visit the monkeys. Seems to me we didn't need to, they already are monkeys. Not only that, they are constantly up to monkey business. They goof around like a couple of monkeys, sometimes I think they smell like monkeys, and yes, they look like monkeys too! Oh well, a little extra monkey exposure can't do any harm.
We are enjoying some family time, before I fly off to North Carolina for a few days.
Jesus, thank you for the gift of family. Thank you for blessing me. Thank you for putting little monkeys in my life! Say That Again, Jesus! You will bless me and You will love me!

The Reconciliation

I spent the evening with a friend. We met at a restaurant for dinner, then went for a long walk along boardwalk and the lake. Then, we decided to stop for coffee and sat on a bench to drink our flavored delight. It was nice. It was nice, because it was comfortable. And, we've been working towards comfortable for so long, and praying to God to bring us to this place, and trusting in His Word that He would. We both knew that it would only be through His power that it would happen, and now here we are, enjoying each others company, even trusting each other.
I am amazed at the God I serve! I am amazed at what He can do if I step forward and obey Him. He tells me to reconcile. To me that means, be in a relationship and love. It doesn't mean just be civil. He tells me to forgive, so I have to allow Him to show me how to do that. The incredible thing is, He does it!
Jesus, thank you for the gift of reconciliation. Thank you for blessing me with the journey I have had with my friend. I have learned a lot. Thank you for walking with me and for loving me. Say That Again, Jesus, You will reconcile me to Yourself and to others and I will be blessed!

The Candy Store

We have a delightful candy store in our town. In the window is a big claw foot bath tub full of all sizes of bubble gum, all colors! Inside are glass bins full of candy, lots of candy. All of it is sold by the pound. Gloves and bags are handed out to all the customers and everyone is allowed to go to whatever bag they desire and fill their bag with whatever candy they desire. As you may be able to imagine, I like this store. My children find this store rather delightful as well.
The store is nostalgic. Its colorful. It smells good. It's fun. I like the idea of going back and taking a friend. I like to tell others about it. It stirs up a passion in me, and I have to ask myself, am I this passionate about other things, like church, for example?
Do I want to invite my friends to church? Tell them all about last weeks experience? Am I excited to go back? Does it stir a passion in me because I meet Jesus there? Do I think about my experience there through out the week? Are my children delighted to be there? Does my experience there create color and joy in my life?
Jesus, You are all of those things, how can I incorporate that into my church experience every week? Be in my church, Jesus, in my relationships, in my life and soul! Say that Again Jesus, You are all things and You are real, and You will be In all places with a passion!

Until next time....

Until next time....

The Shocker

As I slipped into bed last night my husband said he had a confession to make. I didn't feel too concerned, because we have always been very open with each other and I believe I know him well. It was a day of confessions, after all, I had just confessed to the world about my fudge bar obsession.
So, he said, "I've never eaten a fudge bar!"
"What?" First of all, how could I not know this? I live with this man? I'm eating them all the time? They taste great. He has never eaten one? My kids eat them! My friends eat them. What is going on here? I was truly shocked! He doesn't want one! Imagine that.
So, we discussed the fudge bar shocker for some time, my surprise, his unconcern. And, once again, it reminded me of the days when I had an unconcern or a lack of passion for Jesus. When I had a veil over my face and I could not see His glory or His truth.  And, frankly, I didn't even care.  My friends, my husband, people around me could be basking in His glory, tasting His beauty, but I didn't want it. I wanted to stay where I was. Other's would offer me Jesus, but no I didn't want to move toward Him.
I'm so pleased to say that is not the case now. I'm so pleased to say it is not the case with my husband either, even if he isn't eating the fudge bars! He is still basking in the glory!
Jesus, keep shining on me and my family. It feels so good. Say all of that again to me. You are good, you are full of glory and goodness and You are truth.

The Fudge Bars

Okay, I will confess. Well, it's not a total confession to all people, because some of my friends already know this. I eat 3,4, sometimes 5 fudge bars a day. I guess it could be a problem, but I don't see it that way. I have a friend, that likes the very same fudge bars I do, and he eats them too, consequently, I have to buy fudge bars in bulk! It's a necessity. Earlier today as I was thinking about the way I devour fudge bars and how I want to be able to devour the Word of God just like that, every day, all day. I want to take His Word witin me several times a day, and enjoy it. I want to be completely filled with His sweetness, and look forward to more.
I want the sweetness of His Word to always be upon my lips, and penetrate throughout my soul. Father, Say that to me Again and teach me Your Word. Let me be sweet in Your sight!