Mom taught me that it was always easier to give to someone who is grateful than someone who is simply demanding and that contentment grows with gratitude.
Gratitude opens the heart of the receiver as well as the giver. It opens our eyes and enables us to see things we do not see otherwise.
Heavenly Father, in this space between Thanksgiving and Christmas, open my eyes to see and to recognize all the goodness that comes from Your hands.
I moved the coaster and a corner fell off. This coaster was not the solid piece of stone it appeared to be. Questions flooded my mind as I picked the chip off the floor. Had I damaged it? Had I hit it on something? Did this corner carry the weight of my full, heavy coffee mug everyday? Had it become weak over time? Was there an imperfection or fault line I could not see?
I held the two pieces together and turned over the coaster to examine the bottom. It was not smooth like the top. There were several crevasses on this side, one along the path of the break.
This flaw was not visible on top, but it is clearly seen here on the underside. This coaster was damaged. It was destined to break. It could not sustain the work of holding large mugs of coffee any longer. The break was a result from this lack of integrity on the bottom.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for working from the inside out and from the bottom up. Please examine the unseen side of my life. Open my eyes to the reality of the divots and crevasses creating weaknesses. Your desire is integrity in everything. Integrity creates strength. When You make me strong, I can complete the tasks You have assigned to me. Help me to give you all of me every day and please help me not to flinch and flail as You repair the imperfections in me. I am grateful You are always working to restore me to Your original Master Plan and You are delighted when I respond with a resounding “Yes, Lord” and obey to Your next instructions. Today and every day, I want to say “Yes, Lord” to You.
HE weaves a beautiful cloth of divine design. The weft is held together by HIS Spirit and the warp is filled with an unimaginable array of countless threads. All unique, all HIS design. I am but one single, thin, weak thread – common, simple, ordinary and easily forgotten in this bundle.
Still, HE passes me through the weft and weaves me exactly as HE intended. HIS only request? “Trust ME to know best for the majestic motifs I am creating, and for you, my child. Then, live boldly in the spot I created just for you.”
When HE places me in HIS masterpiece, HE makes opportunities to do what I was created to do, pursuing the dreams and desires HE placed in my heart. HIS sweet refrain is repeated, trust and live boldly. And my response to HIS song is to partner with HIM. I will boldly live out the stitches allotted to me – however HE forms them.
As I do what HE asks, HE teaches me that my worth does not lie in my own strength or beauty. I have neither. Instead, my worth, my life, all I have and all I am comes completely from the work of HIS hand.
On days when my heart tells me my part is insignificant and small, and probably completely unnecessary, I hear HIM say, “I created this part for you, MY child, and you for this part. Trust ME. Partner with MY Holy Spirit and respond by boldly doing what I show you – nothing less, nothing more, nothing else. I delight in you when I see the good work we have done together!”
Heavenly Father, What do You want me to know about communicating with you?
My child, you are as unique as each sunrise in the morning and each sunset in the evening. I have grand adventures planned for you. I made you for eternal things. I love you.
I want to converse with you from the moment you open your eyes each morning. I want our conversation to continue throughout the entire day. I want to talk about where you are going, what you are doing, and who you are meeting. I want to hear what you see, what you think and how you feel. At the end of the day, I want to tuck you in, sing you to sleep, and give you dreams during the night. I want our conversation to be an unending conversation. I created your voice and gave it to you. I long to hear it when you commune with Me. I will always lean over and listen intently to your words
And I want you to hear My voice. My voice is unlike yours. Mine created all you know. You will find My words in nature and in the way things work. Those are My love notes to you. I speak directly to your heart, too. You know when it’s Me. I am gentle and kind as I speak truth you need to hear. Listen with the intent to do what I ask, just as nature does. You are part of a great tapestry and your part is much bigger than you can ever know. When you obey, our grand adventures begin and miracles happen.
If you receive my posts via email, I apologize for all the unorganized chaotic emails that came into your box this week and ask you to forgive me.
I am still learning how this WordPress/blogging process works and I messed up! I learned that when a post is published, emails are automatically sent. I am able to reschedule the post, but I am unable to retract emails.
Because of the mess I created, I put a new system in place. Drafts will remain in the draft folder until all parts of series are created. Then, they all will be reviewed again and scheduled for posting. This should keep your inbox less cluttered.
Again, I apologize. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to email me at reneshelton@gmail.com. I would be sad if you felt it would be better to unsubscribe and come back in a couple of years, when I know more about how to handle all this technology – but I understand completely.
-rene
I’m grateful that blaming others doesn’t work on God. He’s dealt with that coping mechanism since the first man and woman stood in front of Him. Even in the midst of explaining consequences, His love is ever-present.
Learning is hard work. Not learning is harder.
God doesn’t want His children to be confused. Learn the sound of His voice. Then, listen to Him.
reneshelton 