Thanksgiving Memories

God has such sweet surprises in store for His children. Last night, on Thanksgiving Eve, I thought about this day and wondered just how difficult it might be for me. However, the first thing that entered my mind when I awoke was heaven's banquet table, where Roy is now privileged to feast. Today, he will be tasting eternity's fruit of the spirit in all its full glory. I wish I could sit beside him, but he is not far from me today. I will see him in the voice of our sons, see him as I touch our grandchildren's faces, and touch him through the happy memories God is liberally giving me this morning. I am not sad today. How can I be? The thought of Roy's complete healing rises in me with such thanksgiving because I know that, if left here, he would still be battling the terrible disease which ended his mortal life. He's enjoying eternity today. He's feasting with Jesus. That brings me so much satisfaction, and I am touched once again with the sweet grace of God. I hope your day is wonderful as you, too, reflect on the truth that "Life is Hard, But God is Good!" Happy Banqueting today to you and yours!

And Why Shouldn't He?

Why shouldn't God move in mysterious ways? He is, after all, God. Why should He have to explain anything to me? He is, after all, God. He does not owe me any explanation for anything, and He does not need my ideas, comments, or opinions on how He should accomplish His goals. What He desires from me is praise and worship. If I could learn to praise Him---on good days and on difficult days---I believe I would see heaven open up to me in brighter ways. I would see His dream becoming my dream. I would see His goals becoming my goals. "Save me Lord from a heart of worry and self-pity and bring me instead into the light of your marvelous love. Today, I want to grasp your love...to hold it in my hand and then open my hand and let love fly out to others. Grant it Lord. Amen."

The Goodness of God

In whatever you are going through right now...this very day....God has not turned his back on you. He has not turned away from you. His desire is to be right there for you, helping you through this road called life. There are difficult turns in our journey. None of us are exempt from uncertainties and heartaches. We get through them by....well, by allowing God to go through them with us. If we turn away from Him or block Him out, we limit the opportunity He is looking for. And what is that opportunity? His desire is to mold you into His purposes and His use. In order to get there, we have to go through life's hard journey. BUT, God sees the outcome. God sees the overall growth that He desires for you. As He builds His kingdom on earth, He has trusted you to run the race He has set before you. That does not mean that some days won't be so hard that you might want to give up. Those days will come. But, we pick ourselves up and go one more day, and one wonderful day we will begin to feel His purposes springing to life inside of us. It is a marvelous journey when we look to God to mold us. His love holds you firm. He will not let you go if you will snuggle up close to His heart and let Him do His work. May the Holy Spirit find sweet residence in your life today.