journey

Cup of Blessing

~ Extravagant Hope ~ Leave a comment

I love the imagery in this verse .The Lord is my cup of blessing.

When I imagine a cup, I immediately think of my favorite coffee mug. It’s familiar, comforting, filled with something warm and soothing that makes me happy. It feels peaceful and safe.

Of course Jesus is SO much more than a mere coffee mug, but He is comforting, safe, and soothing. He delights in bringing joyful, happy, lovely things into our lives to help soothe and comfort us when life blindsides us, wounds us, and we walk in seasons that are overwhelming and so tiring.

Walking with Him and being in His presence is the true blessing. That He loves us enough to give us even more is an undeserved, yet beautiful kindness.

He guards all that is ours and draws a boundary around what He’s given us. Those we love are guarded, protected, and hemmed in. We can let go of the fear and exhaustion of trying to control and manipulate life and circumstances to keep our loved ones safe. He’s got them. They are safely tucked up into the folds of His robe. He knows what He’s doing. We can breathe out, let our shoulders settle, and allow the joys from His cup of blessing to pour over us – healing, delighting, and comforting.

Mindful of You

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Photo credit: Juan Capriano Esquer

Even in the vastness of the heavens, the intricate placement of each galaxy, the planets, and stars God sees you. You are never lost to Him in the enormity of creation. Your name is written on the palm of His hand – cherished, loved, and perfectly known. Every sigh, every tear, every mask you wear, and every thought you have is completely and fully known.

It amazes me. It always does. Such love and depth of being seen is scary, but so comforting at the same time. So hopeful.

Nothing separates you from Him. Be at peace. He is near and loves you with a fierceness that is beyond what the human mind can conceive. Safety. Rest.

It’s sacred and beautiful – this love is for you.

BOOK GIVEAWAY

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Guess the number of gummy candies in the dish. Leave your guess in the comments on my FB author page ONLY.

Head over to my author page to see the pics!

https://www.facebook.com/MelissaGiomiauthor

The closest guess wins a signed book of your choice that I will mail to you.

Contest begins today, 4/8 – 4/11 8am PST.

Thread of Hope

~ Extravagant Hope ~ 3 Comments

Life is unpredictable. We go into each day not knowing what is waiting for us. Will that prayer finally be answered, will that hard conversation go the way we want it to, will this health issue be resolved, can we just get some peace, will our loved one be safe?

Right in the center of this unpredictability is Jesus. He’s good, steadfast, true, and omnipotent. He has everything concerning you well taken care of.

The chaos that swirls and looks for a way into our hearts is held at bay when we reach out and take His hand. Fear must bow, anxiety must quiet, control must release its vise grip.

The lovely, gentle, glimmering thread of Hope that binds us to Jesus is protected and cherished. It can’t be broken or snipped by the vagaries of life. It is our strong and holy connection to the heart of Jesus.

Hope trusts that He’s got you, will never leave you, is always with you. You can’t be snatched up.

The holy, sacred, mysterious thread of Hope is tethered in His power, compassion, and deep love which cannot be taken away.

In the Morning…

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As you go about your morning routine today, remember that Jesus is there with you. He loves to hear your voice and gather you close to His heart.

Talk to Him. Lay all that weighs heavily on you at His feet. He already knows all the things vying for your attention and the stress it causes. Allow yourself time to just be and let it all wait a bit, as you renew and refresh your mind, body, and spirit in the presence of God. It’s healing. It’s holy. It’s good.

You are enough and He has equipped you to handle what will come your way with His strength, wisdom, and compassion. You are loved. Peace be with you.

His Smile

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Jesus smiling at me… When I slow down and let the image come to me, it is breathtaking.


A smile from another human shows acknowledgement. I am seen. The space I occupy is recognized and validated. And sometimes the smile is genuine, friendly, and true.


But, the smile of Jesus’ face shining on me takes it to a whole new level. There is no ulterior motive, social politeness, underhanded intentions, or false friendliness. He isn’t buttering me up before asking something of me, or figuring out what He can get from me at no cost to Himself.


His face full of kindness, empathy, and wisdom. He knows all of me. The ick, the good, and all the in-between and He still smiles at me. Accepts me. I’m seen, I’m noticed, I’m wanted, and sought out. The delight in being with me shows in His eyes – the way people’s eyes light up at the sight of one that they love, but on a much deeper level.


He isn’t seeking what He can get from me. He’s seeking me out. He wants to bless me, protect and provide for me. His smile reminds me that I’m loved beyond what I can understand just for who I am.
In His smile, there is healing and hope. I feel safe. His smile shining on me is powerful. The One who’s footstool is the Earth, the One who’s name is the foundation of all life, the One who is Warrior and Good Shepherd looks at me, and He looks at you, and smiles. He is gentle and fierce, kind and wise, Creator and King. He smile of His face shines on us because He delights in us.

My Shield

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When I envision the Lord being my shield, it transforms how I imagine myself walking through this day of unknowns.


I think we are often completely unaware of the pitfalls, near misses, and battles going on around us that we are protected from daily. The Lord shields us from so much.


The fender bender that ruins our day, makes us late, and costs us money…did the Lord shield us from something far worse?


The random encounter with an unsavory stranger that left us shaken…did the Lord block the evil intentions that could have gone a different and terrible way?


The beautiful and precious time spent with Him that was uninterrupted…did He shield us from distractions so we could be filled up, loved on, and encounter Him?


This verse really spoke to me. It’s been a hard around here lately. We’re tired and rough around the edges. I wonder what else Jesus has shielded us from?


I am so grateful that the Lord of Heaven, Prince of Peace, and King of Kings sees me and chooses to shield me and lift my head when the harder days come. It’s a beautiful and comforting thing to be seen and deeply loved by Jesus. He loves you, too. Peace be with you. 

Fruit

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“Bearing fruit each season without fail.” Hmm… Reading this verse feels hopeful. It feels encouraging; relief that despite seasons where nothing goes right, one difficult, trying thing after another happens, and you feel blindsided, and exhausted – even then we bear fruit. It may not be loud, obvious, beautiful fruit, but the scripture DOES say “each season.”

Maybe you are in a season, like me, where things are not going as planned or hoped, and you feel disappointed , and blindsided by events you never saw coming. It’s not an easy place to be.

I wonder if we slow down, breathe a minute, and look around us, we will see that there is fruit here. Perhaps it’s a fruit called trust, rest, patience, hope, letting go, or compassion for another who’s struggling.

God is with you in whatever season you are in right now. I know it doesn’t always feel like it or look like it, but He is. He promises to never leave us alone. He is the Promise Keeper. He is faithful and He keeps His promises.

Travel Steady

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Wherever your path leads you today remember that Jesus is walking it, too. He won’t leave you alone to navigate what’s ahead. He’s been there already and knows exactly what you will need to steadily travel on.

There will likely be twists and turns along with ups and downs as you go. When you feel uncertain or worried about the blinds spots, perhaps try and view them through a new lens of adventure, excitement, and anticipation of good things coming. Blind spots don’t always have to be bad.

For me, I often anticipate bad things and overthink all the ways a twisty part of the path will play out in a negative way and exhaust myself trying to get ahead of the bad news. I don’t want to keep doing it that way. I’m tired and worn down. It is stealing my joy. This isn’t that way He wants us to live.

Maybe you’ll join me in trying to flip the negative narrative that so often obscures and diminishes all the good things Jesus HAS done, IS doing, and WILL do for me and for you. We won’t get it right all the time. How thankful I am that He gets it, gets us, and doesn’t stop loving us when we let worry blind us to the small blessings, bits of joy, and pops of beauty He scatters all around us, hoping we trust Him enough to see it.

I don’t want to miss out on hidden blessings, glimmers of heaven, quiet times of sitting with Him, and rest, beautiful, blessed rest.

Psalm 37:34a NLT

Photo credit: Petra Nesti