The Perfect Breeze

I sit at the computer now, the desk is in front of a window, a view I've come to enjoy.  It's not a perfect view, half of it is the side of a building, but just past that is, well, another building yet beyond that is a palm tree that rises above everything else, a touch of mountains and the sky.  I think how lovely it is to sit here and work or play.  The breeze comes through the window almost always at just the right time.

An abstructed view...see that on a concert or theatre ticket and you think it's going to be a bad thing, you'll miss something.  

An obstructed view, in life, though can be a good thing, that shelter of God not giving you the whole picture before it's too soon to be known, sometimes that time never comes.  I love that He knows the whole picture and I don't, I trust Him to tell me what I need to know as I need to know it. 

This morning as I sat in my devotion time with Him, Shelby missing and me missing her, Jackson settled by my side and I read Paul's words in the Message, Phillipians 3:12b  "...reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me".

Those words penetrated my soul, Christ who has so wondrously reached out for me...HE reached out for me...those words became so precious to me as if reading them for the first time.  Those words of Paul about Paul but very much to all of us.

Christ who wondrously reached out for me...for you...when the view is perfect and the waters are calm there is seemingly little need for us to reach out, but there it is always, His hand reaching out to us.  Because He knows the big picture, He knows the good of our lives and He knows the bad of our lives.  He knows that in every life there is a need for that perfectly timed breeze. 

I pray in the coming days you will grasp His hand and be filled with that perfect breeze.

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Simple Pleasures~

• Jackson, the gray stray that has stolen my heart
• Shelby, the calico that has been my companion, friend and confidant for almost 15 years
• The big stuffy chair that has cuddled me through so much
• The quiet time basket, full of God's words and love and lessons and guidance
• The balcony that beckons me daily to enjoy the outdoors
• The American flag that reminds me of the blessing of Freedom and the men and women and their families that so selflessly give
• The artwork of a rainy day, impressionist, yet so real I feel I could walk right into the street scene with the others
• The kitchen where many a meals have been made and the friends that I've enjoyed
• The green walls that Tena helped me pick the color for...her good eye for design
• The seashells from Coronado, New Jersey, Florida
• The blankets made by my Mom and my sister
• The heart picture frame of Shelby, from Maureen
• The ocean view from Coco Beach

I love how God can change my focus to the simple pleasures and bring such peace.

Memorial Day 2012

Yesterday I was blessed by the sermon of a local Pastor who shared his thoughts and heart as it were this past week.  He turned 70.  Quite a ways from 70, yet I understood the reflective moments that birthdays sometimes bring; as I pulled out of the church parking lot I became reflective myself.

Pastor brought up a lot of things but one that was the main reflection for me, most likely because of the Memorial Day holiday, this one stuck with me.  Remember your heroes.

My mind drifted to my upbringing, my Mom.  Now I come from a big family and where as we do not agree on a lot of things, I think there are two we can agree on; we were raised to be proud of America being American.  And we were raised to believe in God.

This is not a political post, this is heart.  My heart; yours may differ.

I have several people in my life that I would place in to the category of hero.  Yet for now I reflect on the heroes I’ve never met, those that over the past centuries fought for our freedom; those that today are miles from their families continuing to protect that freedom; the men and women of the United States military.  And One that I’m am so thankful to have met, Jesus Christ. 

Because of those who have served, are serving or will serve in the US Military, each morning I wake and do not really think of my safety, it’s just there, I take it for granted, because of them I can sit out on the balcony read the Word of God out loud and the only thing I get is an occasional funny look from a passerby, because of them I can sit here and write my heart and then send it off to anywhere and everywhere with no serious repercussions.  I am a woman that does not have to hide my face behind a veil.  I can speak my mind, I can vote my opinion, I can be anything I set my mind to be, I have immense opportunities, I’ve enjoyed many experiences and I am free.

 “Freedom isn’t Free”.  Over time 100’s of millions, both military and civilians have died in war. I am indeed a Christian woman, my freedom wasn’t free.  One died that I may live, an abundant life,  God sent his only Son, Jesus Christ; “and this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again”.

We all have the right to state our opinion about our government and I do from time to time, I’ve come to realize though that a better plan is 2 Chronicles 7:14 “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Pray for America, for our military and government, seek God and let him heal our land.

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