Such Is Life

Greetings dear and precious sisters-in-Christ, Nearing the end of summer and signs of the opening of schools and the activities of planning and once again having to be on a schedule. Alarms being set and the morning routine of making sure tummies are full and lunch boxes/bags are packed and waiting for the bus to arrive. I used to do that several years back and now I view it from afar. I do have friends and family that are still doing it and I love seeing the first day of school pictures that are posted on social media. Remembering back when I would have to prepare for the first day of school. What I chose to wear and how important it was to walk into that school after the summer months and seeing new faces and also greeting new friends. Yes the routines and schedules will begin again but that is a good thing for once again life will have a rhythm and flow that will become a habit for awhile. Such is life... our walk with the Lord is like that sometimes, don't you think? During the summer months when you get out of your routine it is hard sometimes to start. So for those families that are having to set alarms and prepare the breakfasts and lunches and make sure their children make it to the bus stop in time - you can do it. The first few days will be rough but embrace the time of preparedness. Abba Father, thank You that You plan and purpose our days and when You plan and purpose it is for our good and for your glory. Lord I praise you for all the different challenges and also interests that You provide. Lord, I pray for each dear and precious sister-in-Christ that now have to prepare the days ahead that You would inspire them and encourage them that You have already gone before them and removed all the obstacles. Lord bless each season of their lives. In Jesus Name, Amen. Embracing Life,

LyndiaSue

Working Hard At Being Kind

Greetings dear and precious sisters-in-Christ, I visited my mom last week and during our visit I called her sister so they could talk. Her sister is one of 8 surviving siblings out of 12 total. Even though mom has not visited her family since 2012 they always stay in contact and trying to keep that going with mom's dementia is so important for her other siblings. So, to continue, my mom was telling her sister that she has to work really hard where she is staying now, which her sister and I questioned her about. It was after they had completed the call that I brought up the subject once again because I was thinking, what kind of work did she need to do for she lives in a nursing home and all of her needs are taken care of. Her response, "i have to work hard at making sure people are happy and that they have a smile on their face." How precious my mom is! Mom has always been a special kind of introvert, one who is able to stay in the background and yet at the same time be the center of attention. And until the time came to place her in a nursing home because her dementia had advanced it was a very hard decision but now looking back God had His plans and purposes for mom all along. She is loved by the staff and all those she comes in contact with for she really doesn't have to work very hard. She is a natural at making people feel very special and her smile is contagious. She is kind spirited and that is truly a gift to have one which God gives freely. One of the gifts of the Spirit is Kindness and I have done numerous bible studies and also I have come before the Lord many times asking for help in being kind but it was from that conversation that I got a "whole picture of kindness." And in mom's mind she is working really hard at it but in reality she was given the gift and she can't help but be kind. Let us pray - Abba Father, Praise to Thee for Your faithfulness and for sending the Holy Spirit to counsel and to guide. Thank You that through the Holy Spirit we have been given fruits and one of them is Kindness. Oh Lord, may Your Kindness be evident in our lives as we live out each day. Lord, You give us one day and in that day may we be filled up with kindness, the kindness which brings a smile to a troubled person or a smile on the face of someone who is having a hard time. Lord, I pray for each dear and precious sister-in-Christ that Your kindness would shine upon her like a beacon of light. In Jesus Name, Amen. The Lord's kindness be upon you,

LyndiaSue

Abiding and Abounding Grace

Greetings dear and precious sisters-in-Christ, Definition of Abiding: Lasting a long time; enduring Definition of Abounding: Very plentiful; abundant Definition of Grace: The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowol of blessings. And the response given to Paul - 2 Cor. 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness". Can you feel it? Can you taste it? Can you see it? Three simple questions and yet so profound in the asking and seeking. You are in a situation and without knowing how to describe to someone else just what transpired these questions may come up in the questioning. Imagine you are someplace completely out of your comfort zone - you might have gone there on purpose or you were presented with a choice and in the choosing you found yourself here. Yes here where you know that the only response to give or be given is, "well I guess we will have to just pray about it." How many times have you heard or even said that? Today I want to invite you to sit at the feet of Jesus, like Mary did and hear the words spoken to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." This kind of grace is from the great I AM, the creator, the supreme, the One who created you and me, the One who spoke and it was so. The kind of Grace that is enduring; lasting a long time and also abundant; very plentiful. It is FREE and UNMERITED FAVOR. How can you feel it or taste it or see it when it is so profound? And yet we who trust and believe in Jesus have it forever and ever. My prayer for today - Abba Father, thank you and praise you for your abiding and abounding grace even though we can't feel it or taste it or see it we believe and trust. Lord I pray for each dear and precious sister-in-Christ that from this day forward no matter what is going on in their lives or even around them that they would call upon the name of Jesus and be reminded that it is Your Grace that is sufficient and that Your Grace is an abiding and abounding grace that quiets the whirling mind, that gives peace in the turmoil, and brings joy in the midst of the heartache. In Jesus Name, Amen. Stepping into the abiding and abounding Grace,

LyndiaSue

Along The Way

Greetings dear and precious sisters-in-Christ, Welcome to the month of August! A month where gardens flourish and flowers run amuck competing for your attention and voices of people of all ages are audible because of gatherings of music festivals, circuses, local and state fairs, and family get-togethers. Yes a month of activities - road trips, family vacations, picnics, camps and fishing and floating the rivers and creeks. This morning I would like to pause... if you had only one keepsake memory along the way what would it be? My father and mother collected rocks and along the way of their travels they would venture off and come back with a rock, big ones and little ones and various sizes and shapes and colors, I have those now. It used to be that some people would collect postcards of the various places they visited and of course there were spoons and various refrigerator magnets too. So along the way what have you collected? What have you treasured enough to keep as a memory of your journey? Oh and I almost forgot - photos! It is the same with your walk with the Lord, He has embedded in your heart those treasured memories, spiritual memories. They aren't always that visible, in fact, they are often overlooked because of the boldness of this world. While we are pausing, think about the preparation needed to do the activities, so along the way of your destination, whether close to home or far away, consider asking the Lord for Him to show you what treasured moment He wants you to see or learn or hear. He does have something planned and purposed and it is always along the way. Abba Father, Praise and Glory to You. Thank You that You fill our hearts and minds and souls with Your Presence. May each dear and precious sister-in-Christ pause today and ask and in the asking may she receive the answer that brings her to a richer and deeper and more intimate relationship with You, her Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen. Considering my along the way treasures,

LyndiaSue