Today Buzzed by Snowplows were working Week’s mail was overwhelming Whew!!
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Today Is gone Tomorrow is coming Plan for the best Relax
See you tomorrow… For sure! What will you be doing?
It’s a day when we in the USA Are feeling particularly vulnerable. A day when we ponder the meaning Of the troublesome events of yesterday.
It was a day of Troubled Waters When our fragile democracy Seemed on the brink of collapse, A day some imagined, but not I.
I knew we were a country deeply divided, A country needing a renewed sense of unity, But never did I think our Capitol Would be under siege by our own people.
Thousands gathered at the “Trump March.” Many thought Trump was at the front leading them. He was not.
They just kept coming… and they roiled over into the Capitol building.
Not just one of the rioters was killed in the debacle, but 3 health care workers also lost their lives.
In the aftermath, when the Senate and Assembly resumed their stations and continued the task of counting the electoral votes, a new sense of purpose seemed to emerge.
It took an attack on our democracy for our lawmakers to unify and recognize the importance of our constitution. The tone was bipartisan. The future is hopeful.
A ray of hope for the unification of this divided country was launched yesterday.
A seed of collaboration was planted.
The importance of “Love Thy Neighbor” seemed to be elevated.
Yesterday I posted a meme that read: “We’ve tried hate. We’ve tried wars. We’ve tried destruction. They only caused more pain. Let’s try something different…”
…and the “different” was peace love empowerment collaboration.
Today let’s reinforce that commitment. Let’s try Open and Honest Communication, Building bridges instead of walls, LET’S EMBRACE UNITY!
EMBRACE UNITY! Let’s honor One Nation Under God. One world for us all, One CREATOR of us all.
Back in 1970, Paul Simon was inspired to write the words to the song, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” The video below is the story of how that song came to be. The words are just what we need today… A Bridge Over [these] Troubled Waters.
Let’s Embrace UNITY. Let’s see how that turns out!
I hope you took time to hear that You.Tube story. It’s powerful. Believe me, the song is just what we need today.
“When you’re weary Feeling small, When tears are in your eyes I’ll dry them all. I’m on your side. Oh, when times get rough And friends just can’t be found, Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down. Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down. When you’re down and out When you’re on the street, When evening falls so hard I will comfort you. I’ll take your part. Oh, when darkness comes And pain is all around, Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down… Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down. Sail on silver girl Sail on by… More
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?‘ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
In today’s Mornings with Jesus devotional from Guideposts, Isabella Yosuico wrote, “I seek Jesus’ direction… I am struggling to keep an open mind and follow where He leads…”
Isabella went on to say that having faith means “… prayerfully doing what I can today and recognizing what I cannot do.”
All the world Is holding its breath – Some behind masks, Some behind fear, Some behind doors, Afraid to come near. Breathe in Peace. Experience a patch Of stillness, Kindness, and Presence. Each waking day. Carry it with you.
“… do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Reaching out to help others Is a gift some people cultivate. No matter what they are going through, They take time to stop and make a date With friends who seems to need them. Because their friends know they care, They know they will sincerely listen And pray for them. It helps to talk and share.
They set aside their own struggles And they focus in on your trouble. They look into your eyes and see your heart. They pull you close into their compassionate bubble. You know they hear with ears of love. You know they link to God in sincere ways. They will take your concerns to our Lord and Savior. He hears their cries … and with them prays.
I want to be that kind of a friend. I want you to know how much I care. I want you to open your heart and know I’m a person with whom you can share Your problems and your struggles. I will listen with my very soul. I will pray to Jesus for God’s help. Yes, showing love and kindness is my goal.
Some people find it hard to reach out; They want to solve their troubles on their own. But sharing is an important part of healing. Don’t try to do it all alone. Even if you just go to a friend and sit, Say nothing… just find peace in being there, A good friend will hear you with a heart That reaches yours. You’re a synced pair!
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.”
Romans 5:1-2
“Listen carefully! Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal.” (Eugene H. Peterson’s The Message translation)
In the eye of the storm, Hurricane Florence is burying houses, trees, streets, electrical connections, pig farms, and even people … in their homes, in their cars and pickups, on their escape routes. This scripture from John 12 reminds me that being buried, even if it means death to this earthly life, can result in eternal life – or at least a better life.
But, we don’t have to encounter a hurricane to feel buried. We can be buried by trouble, strife, grief, disillusionment, disappointment, greed. We can be buried by fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of inadequacy.
John 12 asks us to listen carefully. Jesus is reminding His followers that we cannot avoid change – and when we try to do so – when we “hold on to life just as it is,” we destroy life. So, we are told to let it go. Go with the flow. Even the flow of flooding that threatens to drown us. Go with it… float the flood! Know that trouble is guaranteed, but trouble is temporary.
Look beyond the turmoil of today. Look beyond yourself. Look to God for guidance and comfort and direction. Look for others who need you. Serve them as you follow Jesus’ example. God will help unbury you as you help unbury others.
Are you facing TROUBLE in your life? Today’s scripture caught my attention as I was writing daily reflections in my “Love Journal.” The scripture for today in the journal is Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble.”
Is it true? Is God your hiding place? Will God protect you from trouble? In my experience, it is not that trouble doesn’t come my way. It will and it does! Trouble finds us – even in our best hiding places! So what comfort can I take from Psalm 32?
If we live the truth of Psalm 16:9 and we “are always thinking of the Lord,” then the scripture promises, “…because He is near, I never need to stumble or fall.” God will help me overcome trouble. He will help you, too! I truly believe that. Do you?
Psalm 16:10 says “Heart, body and soul are filled with joy.” How can we have joy in the midst of trouble? It helps me to focus on the fact that the Lord is in control. God is the Captain of my ship, the Driver of my vehicle, the Lamp that lights my path. If I remember that, then God will not only lead me through the trouble and help me overcome it, but He will strengthen me by it. He will bring me joy. I truly believe that, too.
“Protection” from trouble is not the absence of trouble, but it is the inability of trouble to take away my joy. With God’s help, I can hold my head high, walk through the hard times, and emerge stronger and more faithful. You can, too. Take JOY, my friend. Take heart; take God’s hand – offered by a loving friend – and walk right through that trouble with His Strength – to the other side. You don’t need to hide. He will protect you. He will show you The Way. God bless you. Walk on!
JanBeek 