Pray to Be Strong

This was posted on an orphanage where children are brought due to war.  I thought it a powerful statement.  I would add pray to forgive you enemies, and love those that hate us.

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Wait and Trust

I love the ocean. I was raised in a coastal town and feel like the ocean is my second family.

When we were visiting the coast a few weekends ago I took this picture of what looks like a pool of rocks with water. It really does not look as if it is very busy. But as a sea girl I can tell you there is so much life and lovely things here. Under the rocks will be crabs, little fish and an abundance of colors.

The smell of salt, the cold water, the round rocks all part of a wonderful experience.

This week I got some very bad news. Sometimes I cry, sometimes hardly can move from depression: but I have learned that if I am patient, good comes out of what looks like a stand still situation.

God never leaves us. Today as I tried to work through my deep depression I remembered, bad does pass, and while waiting look for the hidden beauty of life. And I found it. I go to bed peaceful and happy.

God will never leave us, so when things seems so bad- we wait and trust.

Judgements of God = Comfort

It seems I have had a lot of stress lately, and I was overwhelmed. I really did not know what to do. But I realized I had neglected to spend time with God. Too busy, too lazy and I had also taken time away from being steady.

Today, I stopped "forgetting God" and spent time reading a book about the judgements of God. Oddly I found myself very comforted. Judgements of God= Comfort? That is because the bible said that instead of seeking God to solve the problems they were cutting themselves.

I have mental illness and one very deep form of solving depression is cutting of ourselves. The pain is so intense during self harm, the mind temporally is removed from the mental pain. As I meditated on that I realized sadly that the people running from God were so out of touch with him that they would rather do bodily harm than yield to his leading. Yet, God told them that if they would humble themselves he would take care of their problems.

So I just humbled myself before God and found peace. I did not see the answer to my problems, but God had promised he would solve them. Slowly I am seeing my troubles turn around for the better. God's word is true.

From Ugly to Special

What is it? A fern in the forest.

When I took this picture it really was pretty ugly. Somehow it turned out with lots of grey and drab. But after working with it in my computer, I liked the colors and textures that came forward.

I have been thinking about that. I have been a bit depressed. It is not that anything major is happening, but I have many stressful things happen in my life now. Both of my children are in trouble. My son's illnesses are raging and my daughter is having financial troubles due to the economy. Then, of course, there are our own difficulties. So today I took the day off to draw into myself. I worked in my yard a lot, did not answer the phone and spent time in prayer. From my grey day, also came beauty. I was quiet and felt God. I was able to accomplish more than I expected and with my time of reflection realized God does have a plan and I just need to be patient and wait for it.

Today, I hope you can find beauty in what at first looks dim and sad. God bless you.

What's Wrong

What's wrong with this picture? If you look carefully you will see that on the bottom row is a huge pile of clothes packed on top of itself. That is not a a good way to dry my clothes.

Our granddaughter was "helping" me and packed lots of clothing on top of its self. She was so proud of what she had done. I smiled, knowing later I would need to rehang my clothing. But I was glad to do that. Just having her so happy and feeling so worthwhile gave me joy.

I believe God honors our attempts also to do his work. Sometimes we blow it. I remember when I first became a Christian. I made many mistakes with my faith. I still make mistakes, but God did not nor does he now, give up on my efforts. I believe he smiles also when we are trying to live for him. The works we do are not the important things, it is our attitude. When we try and "help" God maybe we goof things up. But our willingness must please God's heart. Because he is all about relationship, and our wanting to be with him must cheer him.

Today, reach out to God. He is not interested in what you are doing as much as why. If it is to be in relationship to him; he smiles. He loves being with us.

In The Darkness

Recently our son called he was in big trouble. This is the first time in his life he has asked for help. My son has mental illness, and indeed he is in big trouble. During one of his manic situations he spent all of his rent money and soon he will be homeless. During our conversation he told me he wished he could die.

I have attempted suicide, and know these kinds of statements can be warning, of suicide attempts. I am concerned, but not panicked. I think it is because God has taught me to wait, pray and seek knowledge of what to do.

I don't know how to help our son. I don't understand sometimes why his life is so full of difficulties; but yet I still believe God is in control. This picture of the fern reminds me of beauty in the darkness. Sometimes it is just faith that keeps us going. Trusting that God will guide us.

I am praying for my son. I don't know how to help him but an amazing calm is with me. God has the way to help my son, and while I seek him I will trust him to give me guidance with our son. I trust God also that even though my son is struggling, God can turn this around for a positive purpose. So I am calm. Please pray for our son.

And you, can we pray for you? Are you in the dark and need prayer. Please post. Thanks.