War paint

I admit that I'm not one to put on a lot of make-up.  Yet, today, as I was getting ready for church and applying what little make-up I wear, a thought occurred to me.

This looks like I'm putting on war paint.

I laughed at the time, but it is indeed true.  Each day, every person puts on ___________  in order to brave the day.  Sometimes it's make-up, literally....but, more times than not, I believe it may be something much deeper.

To the person who is going through depression, it may be a fake smile.

To the person struggling financially, it may be work boots and pushing through feelings of inadequacy.

To the person who feels lonely and alone, it may putting a self-proclamation of "I can do this".

Sometimes, however, life throws out pitches so quickly, that we are sure to strike out.  Pitches that feel like punches to the gut.  In those times, it's important to remember that the game of life we are playing is not ours to play at all.  We try to keep up.  We keep score.  But, I'm not sure that God does.

2 Choronicles 2:17 says that you don't have to fight the battle...you just have stand still and let God take care of it.  Deuteronomy 20:4 says that God will give us the Victory.  Deuteronomy 1:30 says that God will even go before you and fight the battle.

Not only are you victorious....you are given the victory.  I admit it's hard when facing life's difficulties, but God is one of honor, and He is a winner (read the end of THE book).  He's sharing that win with you.  Consider it a "bye".  If a team receives a "bye", they don't have to play or compete.

So, whether you put on that war paint, step into the game, or sit on the bench.  It doesn't matter what choice you make; just remember this:

God's got this.

Trees and other unexpected things

Today is Father's Day.  Instead of attending church, we decided to go on a hike.  Our family is somewhat fit, well, let's call it a work in progress, but we've never done a hike this long.

Spending the day with my husband and kids, I didn't expect to hear from my Heavenly Father, especially on a day when I didn't attend church.  But, I did.

Flowers
Immediately setting out on the trail, I saw two flowers.  One was yellow.  Yellow flowers are my favorite.  Due to my own allergies, I cannot receive flowers.  But, I love looking at them. The second flower was a purple one.  Purple is my favorite color, but it also reminds me of my late Mamaw.  These two things may be silly to read, but the flowers put me a peace.

Yes, that's the picture I took.  It's simple, but it reminds me of grace. No, not my daughter, but of God's grace.

Trees
We were walking in Daniel Boone National Forest.  Along with a Kentucky history lesson on my part (I couldn't help myself), I was simply amazed on how many trees there were.  I literally see trees every single day.  However, God was using this experience to teach me not to take the mundane for granted.  At one point, I came across a bent tree.  The tree was bent, not broken.  It reminded me of my years in Florida.  During hurricanes, trees would blow and bend.  One would think that they would snap in two, but that is not the case.  Because they are deeply rooted.  I was reminded of life.  Life can sometimes feel like it's broken, but sometimes it's just bent.  Your chapter may be closed, but God is not finished writing your story.

Weeds
At one point, there was a break in the shade of trees.  There was one spot that the sun broke through.  In that space, one lone plant bloomed higher than any of his surrounding buddies.   Reaching high in the sky, towards the sun.  Just as we are to reach towards the heavens and to the Son.  God will provide what we need.

Sunlight
Speaking of sunlight, the area we hiked was very shaded.  Thankfully, shaded.  All the praise hands, shaded.  However, it was a long hike.  Many times, my physical body wanted to scream and complain.  When I got to that point, there was a break and we walked in sunlight.  And, for 30 more seconds, I was even more miserable.  So, guess what? I didn't complain.  I realized I was thankful for the shaded walk.  So, whether you're looking for the sun or for some shade, be willing to realize the blessings in front of you.

Peace
I mentioned that we were a work-in-progress.  All humans are.  Every time that I think I'm perfect, I realize that I fall short, immensely.  During the hike, I trailed behind my husband and my kids.  It's not that I couldn't do it, I just know I have to set my own pace.  Years ago, while still "skinny" according to the world's standards, I could not have a completed an 11 mile hike.  So, last in line, I hear my name called.  It sounds strangely like my Uncle Steve, who not only wasn't with us, but lives in another state.  Immediately, I hear my name called again.  This time, it sounds like my Mamaw saying it.  It sounded like her and she used my first and last name.  Most people would find this oddly eerie, or think that I'm losing my marbles.  Yet, I was at peace.  Just walking.  I kept moving.  But, I heard God speak to my heart.  He said this, "I still hear you, and you can still hear me."  I am so thankful that He knows my name.

If I had a mic, I think I'd drop it here.  There have been many things in my life that cause me to question God.  But, not to "question God", but to ask God questions.  And, know what?  I rarely get an answer.  But, today tells me that it's okay that I don't have the answer.  It's okay that I'm a work in progress and not perfect.

God still hears me.  I can still hear him.

God still hears you.  You can still hear him.

Sometimes, we just need the simplest of things--even like those I found in nature today--to remind us.

Stillness

Growing up, I was always the shy one.  In fact, when I answered the phone, I didn't answer at all.  My dad would say, "Say Hello."  One would think that I'm talking about when I was a toddler, just learning to talk.  Nope.  Try, teenager.

Now, I'm known to overshare.  Like my dress?  Thanks, I only paid $8.00 for it.  And, much worse.  I over-share and over-trust.  I've been known to confide in the wrong person, simply because I literally trust everyone.  It's gotten me in to trouble in the past.

At the beginning of the year, God gave me a word for 2018.  Stillness.  It comes from this scripture:

"Be still and know that I am God." ~Psalms 46:10


As I write now, my house is completely quiet.  My two children are reading, as part of a summer challenge I gave them.  They're required to do so many things before they can use technology.

I, too, was reading a devotion.  One chapter of a book from my favorite blogger.  It was powerful stuff.  I kept looking for what to take a picture of or words to share on social media.  It's so good, I need someone else to read it, right?

Then, God hit me.  Well, not literally, of course.  But, each time that I feel that God is talking to me, it is indeed in that still small voice.  Unfortunately for me, I am stubborn and it usually feels like I've been hit with a ton of bricks.

Allow me to share.  This morning, as I was reading my devotion, God told me NOT to share what I was reading.  So, I am sharing, but I am sharing this.  I feel He said to my heart:

This is for you.  You alone.  You don't need to share.  Just receive.

That's it.  Mind blown, right? If you're a woman like me, you find it easier to give than to receive.  Receiving seems selfish.

But, God is telling me, and perhaps He's telling you, to be still.  To receive.  To rest in His presence, and know that everything is going to be okay.

Hills

I went to visit my Mamaw today.  Actually that’s a lie.  I went to visit the place where she’s  buried, even though I know she’s not there.  Actually that’s a lie too.  I went to the bottom of the hill of her gravesite and looked up.

I’m not as brave as I portray.  I have four wheel drive vehicle but was afraid to go up there by myself.  No one else knows where I am right now, which in and of itself is a bit scary if you think about it.  But, there is One who knows.

I look up the hill and I see a cross, literally.  She’s buried behind my old church.  There’s so much I miss about the way things use to be, but mostly I miss her.

I came here because I felt alone.  I was alone, in the physical sense of the word, simply because my husband was hunting and my kids were at grandparents.  But, I’m not alone in the spiritual sense of THE Word.  So, I look toward  the hill where my Mamaw is buried and scripture takes a literal life-giving meaning:

I look to the hills from which comes my help! My help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth!

So, while I may feel lonely at times here on Earth, I know that I am not truly alone.

Life sometimes gives us hills and valleys.  What is important to know is that when we are in the valley, we can look toward the hills.  Hills are promises that He hasn’t forsaken us, that He is still with us in the valley.

Each day, we have a choice - we can dwell in the valley or we can look to the hill, realizing we have hope.

Live in the valley,
Look to the hills.
Choose life.
Choose Jesus-given life,
and realize that you, too, are not alone.