Photo credit: azra melek
Hello Monday!
I pray that you begin this week with:
+delicious coffee
+eyes to see the blessings around you
+hands to help another in need
+healing in the places you need it
+peace that comforts you &
+kindness from a stranger
Weakness. This isn’t a word most of us want to ascribe to ourselves. However, strength needs weakness. When we are at the end of ourselves is when Jesus has room to come in with His strength to protect and do the miraculous. I don’t believe He views our weakness as something to look down on or shake His head at in annoyance. I believe He views our weakness as a beautiful opportunity to shower us with His grace, love, and protection—to impart His perfect strength into us and our circumstances. He shows us glimpses of the future as He opens and closes doors. We see a foreshadowing of eternity as we watch Him do the impossible, comforting and healing us when life doesn’t turn out how we prayed it would.
He is the Weaver of our life tapestry. He sees the beginning, middle, and end. He intimately knows where our lives will intersect with another’s journey. Perhaps the unique and specific strengths He has given us will be exactly what is needed to help another—our strength perfectly matched to their circumstances.
Weakness doesn’t have to hold a negative connotation. It has much more depth than that. Perhaps there is a richness to it that speaks of humanity needing each other to get through life.
In another’s weakness we get the wonderful opportunity to be His hands, feet, and comfort. We are also blessed with opportunities to be on the receiving end of another’s strength. The life-song of humanity is a thing of beauty that intersects and strengthens as we witness startling acts of bravery and kindness, a chance to bring hope. There is beauty in weakness.
Photo credit: Dilara
Photo credit: Lucien Cornea ED
I hope you have a lovely day seeking and finding all the hidden joys, blessings, and sweet moments with Jesus that are carefully placed along your path today.
How He loves to delight you with Creation!
Peace be with you. You are so loved.
Photo credit: Pete Weiler
As I sat with this verse and my comforting hot coffee this morning, I could hear the daily choir of birds in my backyard garden singing their little hearts out.
I have many different birds that love my garden. They all have beautiful songs that are unique to them. If you listen carefully you know exactly which bird is singing what notes and even though they are quite different, they all blend into something lovely, happy, and joyful.
It made me smile to picture God on His throne listening to the songs of His creation. He knows exactly what bird is singing and where. I imagine it is beautiful to Him. He carefully crafted each creation-song to blend perfectly, in the exact way He wanted it.
I believe He created our voices to perfectly and uniquely fit our physical features and personality quirks. When we sing to Him or hum as we go about our daily routine, our voices blend and swirl together into such perfect and flawless harmony to His ears.
Creation using the sounds we were given to praise, thank, and love the One who gave us life. Jehovah Jireh.
It is right and good to sing to Him because He is good.
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.
The early sun filters through the blinds at the window. There’s something gentle and delicate about those first rays of light. It feels hopeful.
The fluffy white cat finds a slash of sunlight on the carpet by the bookcase and settles in. He’s had his breakfast and a bath, so it’s time for his morning rest. The soft, grey and white cat finds her spot in the sun on the cozy, green blanket draped over the bed. Fully relaxed, she stretches out, tail gently flicking as she drifts off.
I hear the garden come alive as I sip my hot coffee. It’s a simple thing that brings me happiness as I start my day. The earthy taste and warmth are soothing.
Red-brown squirrels chase each other through the patio and onto the wooden fence, where their race takes them onto the neighbor’s roof and beyond. Joyful and full of energy.
The newly leafed apple tree is filled with red and gold finches, house sparrows, and soft grey doves. They watch as I fill the bird feeders and scatter seeds along the ground. A blue jay joins the crowd, eyeing the peanuts strewn among the flowers and bird baths. Soon, there will be gossipy chatter and scolding as they descend to peck, scratch, and kick, finding just the right seeds and other morsels for breakfast.
There is joy in the routine things that make up a given day.
A tinkling bell heralds the arrival of the neighborhood tomcat. He stops by every so often for his breakfast and a head rub.
As the morning progresses, my mind remains calm as I tend to the garden and inhale the fruity floral scent of the jasmine climbing the trellis, perfuming the morning air.
I sense You in the bright colors, the spicy, flowery scents, and the hope that the pale, lemony sunlight splashes onto the tree branches, dancing to the sweet tune of the tiny windchime that tinkles and sings in the breeze.
We talk as I go about my morning routine. You speak kind and intimate things to my heart. You know the pleasure that these small things bring to my soul. It comforts me, making me feel seen and known. What a happy, life-giving way to begin each day; taking Your love and companionship with me everywhere my feet may go.
~Small Things, Divine Presence…
Photo by Tom Swinnen
In this scripture, the Lord is declaring what He delights in – kindness, justice, and righteousness. I want to be about what He delights in. I want to love those that He loves, see those that He sees, exercise kindness, stand for justice, and do my best to be like Him. He knows we are not perfect and can’t do this on our own.
May we be people who follow after Him, go where He leads us, be clothed in kindness, and treat others the way HE would treat them, the way He treats us.
A blessing spoken over you today:
May the kindness, compassion, and deep love of Jesus cover you, keep you, shield you, and encourage you as He meets all of your needs, and speaks life and acceptance into your spirit.
Photo credit: Emma Giomi
Extravagant Hope 