Goodbye for now Misty...

If you follow my blog you will remember a while back I asked you to pray for Misty LeBlanc. Prayers from all over the world went forth on behalf of Misty. Misty peacefully passed away last night. My heart aches for the family especially Darren, her loving and devoted husband. I do not know why with all of the prayers offered that God did not heal Misty. It's not that there was a lack of faith because many truly believed she was going to be healed. I do know that God loves us and wants us to trust him in all things including things we do not understand. Please pray for Darren, his daughter Olivia and the rest of the family during this very difficult time.

ummm, God is great, God is Good....

"God is great, God is good, let us thank him for our food... amen". A simple prayer often taught to children. Now don't get me wrong, children know how to pray with faith, but we are all grown up and are we still praying the same way? God help sister Jones, she is dying, help my children, forgive me for being bad today... amen. Are we really serious with God? Do we wonder why our prayers are not being answered? Maybe, just maybe, our prayers are not coming with a fervency showing we mean business with God almighty. Almost all of the prayers I have prayed, that were answered, were when I was totally focused on my request to a point of desperation. God knows I'm serious and he sees my total dependence on him. It is then that I see God move in my life. God has never failed me. He still answers prayer today but we must seek him in a way that shows what we are praying for, is really important to us.

Storms inside...

Do you walk around with a smile on your face when you feel anything but joy? That's not necessarily bad, forcing a change in your attitude can change your current despair. Do you lack peace in your mind and spirit? Many people do but you must realize that only God can give you true peace. Do your friends think you've got it all together but you know your life is in turmoil? It doesn't matter what they think, it won't change anything. God knows how you feel regardless of how you appear on the outside. Are you tired of playing games? You should be; life is too short to play games with your emotions. Are you a people pleaser regardless of how that effort affects you personally? Pleasing people should not be your goal in life. You must do what you know in your heart is the right and only way to go. You can never please everyone, so don't even try. Do you feel that people you know are not honest with you and talk behind your back? Over ninety percent of times when you see people talking and you think their talking about you, they're not! Why do we worry about things we have no control of? Have you ever fretted over something and the next day you asked yourself, what was the big deal? I have been known to worry and then when I was done worry some more. If you can change the situation for the better then do it. If not turn it over to the Lord.

Sound simple? It is...

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

A simpler time and a season of innocence...

Today I went to Dayton, Ohio to see "Sesame Street Live" with my granddaughter. I watched my granddaughter as she soaked up the excitement of the show watching Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and others. She was in awe of everything going on. She started saying "happy, happy" as she was very happy to be there. As I watched her I realized how I have gotten wrapped up in the worries of the world. If I could only return to a mindset of being able to really enjoy life's pleasures.

I remember also a time when my daughter prayed that her injured arm would be healed. She had no doubt that God could and would heal her. I again in my maturity was caught up with doubt and worry about her having to suffer. The next day her arm was completely healed. Her faith in God allowed her to be healed, regardless of her father's doubt.

The Bible says "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." (Luke 18:17) This is true for all things we ask of God. Just as my daughter had complete faith that God would heal her, we must do the same. We let "stuff" get in the way of our relationship with the Lord. The more we fill our minds with doubt and trash the less we will receive from him (God).

I guess as we age we because more self-sufficient and less dependent on God. Lord help us to return to the place where we rely and trust you as a child. Help us to enjoy your world and the blessings we have.