May 20

It's not too often that you are invited to an old Florida ranch for a party. It was for my nephew and a few of his buddies graduation. One of the families raises cattle in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, but I think that they probably own the middle of nowhere! It wasn't a mansion like you would have seen on the old television show Dallas, more like the Ponderosa from Bonanza. Although, I'll bet there was a mansion somewhere on that property! We were greeted by a friendly older gentleman who happened to own that little spot of heaven. He said that he didn't own it, but was just given use of it, and then proceeded to introduce us to the one who did, Jesus. That man was first and foremost concerned about our soul and shared Jesus with us right away! We could all learn a lesson from a servant like that. Rich or poor, we are all assigned the duty of introducing others to Jesus.

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5-6

May 19

Coffee and prayer is how I start my day. Without coffee, I have a hard time waking up and I can't seem to function properly the rest of the day, I may have an addiction! And, not saying "good morning" to the Father, well, that's just rude. How do you live in the same house with someone and not speak to them. He is always in our midst, just because you can see Him, doesn't mean He's not there, you can't see air but you know it's there. Not speaking to the One who holds your life in His hands, seems a little dangerous, even though He's loving and wants no harm to come to you. It doesn't have to be a long drawn out church prayer, just acknowledge Him! I'm sure you've been to a graduation or a performance where your child is on stage and you wave, jump up and down, and do all kinds of foolish things to get your child's attention, just waiting for them to acknowledge you. What does God have to do to get your attention?

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:6

May 18

Sometimes God grants you some amazing moments. When He does, all you can do is rejoice and thank Him! I'm somewhat of a paddleboard adventurer. I usually stay on the calm, and less tumult bay side of the island, although I will strike out on the Gulf on a smooth day. This time, I stayed in the bay. We had heavy winds over the weekend, so the water was a little stirred and cloudy. I was thinking it was going to be a bust, if there's such a thing when you're on the water! However, God had a plan to dazzle me! As I was gliding along, I had a visit from a dolphin! It must have been curious or hoping I was fishing! Nevertheless, it accompanied me for a good distance. It was incredible! Just when you're minding your own business, God shows up! Sometimes it's just to put a smile on your face. When you are a follower of Jesus, things don't just happen willy-nilly, and every now and then, you get a kiss from the King!

I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23

May 17

My husband and I are getting ready to downsize, sell, and unburden ourselves of our excess. So, what do most people do when they get ready to sell? They clean up, repair, and replace broken parts! The question is, why didn't you just keep these things in like new condition to begin with? Instead, we live with them in their subpar condition. Then we realize that no one else wants our broken down junk, so we fix it. We tend to be the same way with our hearts and minds too. We don't do anything to repair it until it's time to move on and give it to another. Instead, we should ask the Lord to repair our brokenness and help us to move on so we are fully healed before we consider giving our hearts to someone else. Nobody want's your broken junk except Jesus, and He doesn't even like to keep it in that condition, that's why He offers us healing. Give the Lord your burdens and ask Him for healing. Don't wait, do it today. 

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalms 147:3

May 16

If you have a dog, you know how dependent they are upon you. Unlike children that grow and eventually learn to feed themselves, a dog depends upon you for their entire life. It is so worth the trouble you go to to help them because their love is so freely given. Their gratitude is evident by that sweet look they give you and the uncontrollable wagging of their tail. Then there's that moment when they are tired and they climb up in your lap or snuggle up next to you, you know they love you then. Now look at this same picture, but turned. We are completely dependent upon God for everything. We wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for Him. If all mankind would have the same attitude towards Him as our dogs have toward us, imagine how comfortable our lives would be. Change your mindset to one of complete dependence, be thankful, and full of love for the One who gives you everything, apart from Him, we are nothing.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

May 15

The beauty of gold catches the eye. Gold in its purest form is 24 karat. It has had all the impurities burned off and is very soft and pliable. It takes time and fire to refine gold to the point of purity, but once the process is complete, it is dazzling. It is the process of refining that we must go through to burn off our old ways and habits to make us pliable in the hands of God. You may be going through testing now and feel the burn of that refiner's fire, but remain steady and allow Him to bring out your beauty and change you. This time of testing strengthens your faith but requires you to rely solely on God for everything, submitting to Him just as the gold submits to the power of the goldsmith who works out every bit of dross bringing it to its purest form. As Christians, our purest form is Jesus. Our refining is burning off our old fleshly selves to reveal our true beauty, Jesus.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

May 14

Being a mother is a special gift, just ask any woman who desires motherhood but has been denied. That deep longing going unquenched can set a soul into despair. They become deeply distressed and pray to the LORD, and weep bitterly. I have only given birth to one, but have raised many and call myself blessed because of it. Though my nest is now empty, I look back on those days with such fond memories. Children bring life into a home and change you from being self centered to selfless. Society may be trying to take away the role of a woman, but it is only through a woman that a child is born. Though mothers have a day in which they are honored, most will tell you that it is an honor to be a mom every day. For those still waiting, as Eli said to Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:17, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him."

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:28-29