buds and blooms

As a lover of flowers, I get overjoyed when my flowers at home bud. I then get really happy to see the blossoms of the beautiful colors. I take much enjoyment in just watching flowers bloom. Going from a small seed, to a tiny plant, and then shooting up, with buds and blooms. Have you ever had a plant that struggling a little? Maybe the soil isn't right, maybe your watering it too much, or too little, maybe its getting too much light,or not enough. There are many factors to growing plants, and I am no genius at it. Usually, I kill my plants with too much love, and that love would be water. So I slowly drown my plants, thinking I am loving them. There was a elderly woman down the road from us that held a beautiful garden each year. As all the vegetables caught my husbands eye, it was the flowers that caught mine. They were big and vibrant, showing many colors of wonder. I often wanted to stop by and tell her what a joy her garden was to me each time I drove by, how it gave me hope. I guess I wanted to ask her,"How did you get your garden to grow like this?" There are flowers that grow as a group, there are flowers that grow better to themselves, but the amazing thing is whatever flower, whatever ever color, they all began the same way, as a seed or a bulb, and they started with the breath of God. Our children are a garden of our love. They each have their own bright color, they are all special in their own unique way, and they all take different factors to make them blossom. As our children are small, those little buds, it is so important to show them and teach them the love of God. As they begin to grow, there is always pruning that needs to be done, although they may not like it at first, as the gardener we know it is best for their growth. You love them with tender care, setting them in the Son, giving them all you have from your heart, praying, hoping that one day your garden, God's garden He left you in charge of with bring forth a bounty of beauty. As a gardener you spend much time on your knees, picking out the weeds that are holding the little flowers back from full blossom, you keep all the danger away so they will stay rooted, and you give your heart to watching them unfold, and then one day a wind blows and the seed that began in your garden now is carried off to another. Your prayers do not stop, your love does not end, it only grows, for what once was under your tender care is now under another. Our gardens do not always take off as we would like, sometimes there are good years and some not so good, but even in those bad years, there is still produce, we just are not seeing it yet. Every flower blossoms on its own timing, each one will grow and flourish just when the time is right. As the weather changes, as storms come, we find out just how hearty our little plants are, and then one day, one day in the future, we will see the beautiful garden that was created out of love, that began with the love of Christ. I have seen the beauty in the seed, I have watched them bud, and I have seen blossoms so beautiful they bring tears to your eyes. Although I am still waiting for my garden to bloom to its full potential, I know its coming. During this time, this period of waiting, the Lord gives hope, and He has His hands over these little plants, and with His love and care they will be more beautiful than before. So for today, I pray over my garden, I keep watch, and know with all the hope that the Lord has given, my garden will be all it was created to be.

Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

in different places

Have you ever looked at someone else and thought they were closer to God than you? Have you ever looked at another and thought their faith is greater? We tend to define our walk by looking at those around us, and we just cannot do so. I remember when I first walked into our church, met the few ladies who have now become long time friends, but then I remember thinking, "I can never be like them." And you know what? I never will, I am not meant to be like them, I am meant to be the one God has created me to be. I am to be different and my walk is different, unlike any other. Each of our walks are special, we each go at a different pace, walk a different way. We are all different ages, have come to the Lord at different times in our lives, and have gone through different trials. Just as the snow flake that God created to be unlike any other, was also created to bring glory to Him , we too are created like no other, and were created for His glory. We are not defined by those around us, we are not defined by how long we have been Christians, nor or we defined by what we know or do not know. We all learn on different levels, in different ways and God speaks to us all differently. That is why my relationship with Him is so special and unique, there is not another like it, nor is there one as your walk with Him. Nineteen years ago I didn't even know a hymn, couldn't sing one. I had never been in church before, but now I know many hymns and have my favorites. I have walked with the Lord for nineteen years now, and then there are those who have walked with Him their whole lives, that doesn't mean one is more of a Christian than the other. It doesn't even mean that one knows more than the other because their walk has been longer. Our journey with the Lord takes us on many different roads, twists and turns. There are those days we have our eyes open to all He says, and those days where we find ourselves walking our own walk. Each step in our lives is a lesson if we allow it to be. I have learned not to look at the walk of others and try to measure myself according to what another is doing. I know I have been through many things that others have not, just as in their lives they have walked roads that have not touched me. God shows Himself to us in our walk, and through many different levels in our lives. What should we consentrate on? Jesus, and our walk with Him. Just because I learn something today, doesn't mean that others will grasp the same thing. I can read my bible and the light will come on to something I need to hear, something I have read many other times, but have passed it by. God has a way of bringing to light just what we need to hear, just at the right time. What is amazing is that we are on a walk with Him, that we have sisters and brothers in Christ who are walking too. It is in our walk that not only do we find Jesus, but in that walk we show others who He is. It is not how much time we spend in our bibles, how much time we have spent in church, or how much service we have done that defines our Christianity. It is all about the love we have for Him, its about living for Him, time we spend with Him alone, not just talking, but listening, finding Him in everything, and following His direction, not those around us. We must remember to do the things He is calling us to,not the things our friends are doing, or not the things those around us are finding blessings in, but to walk with Him and allow Him to show us His plan for our lives. Too many times I have wandered from His plan by following another, and that is not His will. When I surrender to Him, I am learning all He wants to show me at that time.

Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Our journey with Him is to be special, unlike any other. We are to seek Him and seek Him as He is calling us and serve Him with the talents that He has given us. Know that you are special to Him, and no one has a walk like yours!!

the wind and waves

In Matthew 8:23-27 it says this to us: "Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then the disciples came to Him and awoke Him saying, 'Lord, save us! We are perishing!' But He said to them, 'Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?' Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying,' Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?'"

Can you see their faces, can you see their fears in the midst of this storm? And for them to see Jesus asleep, what must they have thought? Have you too been there as they were, in fear, seeing the waves coming, the boat rocking, the sea raging against you? How many times I have been on that boat, with little faith, and fearful of the waves crashing in on me. Fearful of what is happening, and what can happen. There are things in our lives we have no control over, so why do we give in to such fears that only make our situations seem even worse than they are? For me, I think some of that fear comes from letting go, letting go of the control I think I have, but as I look to Jesus, as I look to His power and might, He is the One with the control over my life. Nothing touches me that doesn't touch Him first. There are those times when He stops the waves from crashing and calms our fears, but there are also those times in which He allow the waves to keep crashing, but even though, for whatever reason it might be, He is there with us, with each wave that hits, and He is holding on to us such a way that that wave is not going to take us under no matter how much we feel the water rising above us. Jesus calmed the fears that day with the disciples, as He calmed the waves. They were amazed, they were marveled as it says, but why is it that we are always so amazed when He does calm the sea or calm us in the midst of a storm? We are always so amazed that He did something, but why? He is God, He is our Savior, He is the Creator, we should never be amazed at His greatness, but in awe of Him, having respect for Him,with no doubts, showing our love for Him, our praise for His glory. He is God, what else would He do but calm His children and the storms we face daily? He is the One we can turn to and know without a doubt that He is there, He is right there with us. There is no fear in Jesus, there is no doubt in Him, but there is praise and there is security in Him. There are many things I do not know, many I do not understand, and I am so thankful to be learning new things each day, to be gaining wisdom and knowledge of Him, of myself, but the One thing I do know is that He loves me, and He will never leave me in a storm to fend for myself, He will never leave me in the dark, for His light shines and always makes a way. If anything we have a God who allows us to ride those waves with a new found faith and grace. He gives us all we need to make it through, and for me, when I do make it through, I am amazed that He was there and He moved on my behalf, but again, what else would He do for His child? He didn't create us to let us go, to let us fend for ourselves, just as when we were children we knew our parents were there to care for us, to love us, and to protect us, He is our Father in heaven! What a great and wonderful feeling to know there is a God who is with us, even when our faith is not so great, maybe a little weak from the storms we have faced, but even through our fears He shows Himself mighty and awesome. Maybe there are those times I feel as though I am amazed, because I wonder, "Why would He do that for me?" But an answer with assurance always comes back to say,"Because I love you, daughter!" There is nothing we can face today that is too great for our God. No storm too big for Him. If He created the winds and waves, He has the power to control them. For me, I just have to give up my fears, give up my doubts, and let go of the control I think I have and realize my life is better off in His hands. He knows my past, my present and my future, so wherever He is calling me to go, whatever He has for my life, whatever He allows to touch me, I know it is for my best. I may not understand all the storms, I may want them to end, I may not want to face them, but I know if not now, later He will show me the glory that came from all that touched my life. He will give me the strength to face all, and with His arms around me there is nothing to fear.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

OFFWORLD by Robin Parrish

Here we find four astronauts, they are on a mission to mars, the year is 2032 when they begin. They are on a mission, but what mission, and are they really who they say they are? They are on their return home, and one thing after the other takes place, this story takes you for a ride, each chapter is full of suspense, and keeps you on your toes as to what is happening next. I got into the characters, all four of them, Robin Parrish knows detail, he knows how to make his words flow and bring you to wanting more. As the astronauts return home, everyone living is gone, they are no where to be found, until they find Mae, but Mae is the key to the story, and unfolds around her. Men have been planning for years for a mission, and now it has taken place, and these four astronauts are caught in the middle and their lives have forever changed. This book did keep me guessing, but as a Christian I have no idea why this book is published as Christian. There is no mention of Christ in this book, no mention of faith and nothing in the story pointing you to Christ. That was my only draw back to reading it, I would have liked to seen this story go some where, to have a meaning that I could hold on to, but I walked away with nothing. If you are looking for a read in the future, a sci-fi book, then this one is for you, it is full of suspense and does keep you thinking, but this one left me still waiting for more. This book was a gift by Bethany House Publishers for its review.

surrounded?

When we are not always surrounded by others who seem to care about our situations, we can always take comfort in knowing that Jesus is there, caring about each situation in detail about our lives. We can find comfort in Him, we can find peace in Him, we can find strength in Him and we can find love and support in Him. We don't always find love and support from those around us. I know as my husband lost his job, in the last year, there have been few people come to us telling us, "If you need anything you let us know". As I was speaking to a friend a few days ago, she too was finding herself hurt by those surrounding her and her family as they struggle that were looking the other way,not seeing their pain and trials. So why is it that others turn away? At times you feel as though they think your trial might be contagious. As Christians we are to surround each other with love, with compassion and we are to lift one another up. When you are hurting you need the strength of your brothers and sisters lifting you up, in this it gives you hope, it gives you the feeling of being loved and knowing others are praying for you, but when this is absent from your trial, it makes the load worse, almost unbearable. We are to lighten the load of those around us. We aren't to keep our eyes on ourselves, but to turn our eyes to others around us, and when we see others hurting, we need to show them the love of Jesus. I know my husband would be lifted up if there were many around him praying with him, and asking him,"Are you okay?" As a mercy, I hate to see others hurting, I hate to see others in pain, so for me, its easy to reach out, that is not me, that is Christ moving through me, being a mercy is a gift that He uses to reach out to others. That is not the gift everyone has, and some find it hard to reach out, for when you reach out you make yourself vulnerable, you are putting yourself, your heart out there for others, and many times if we were not taught to do this, we find it hard to learn how. I know when my dad was dying of cancer, even my family stayed away. They were fearful of the unknown, they didn't want to see him like that, they didn't know what to say, or how to say it. So my mother and I felt abandoned too. We needed their love and support to get through not only his sickness, but his death. We can get angry when others do not reach out to us,we can allow that hurt to add on more burden, but we must learn not be dependent on others, therefore we must turn to Jesus for our support, our love and help. I have to say I have become hurt, but I have to let those feelings go, for sometimes others just don't know what to say and they don't know how to reach out. But you can hardly keep from feeling as though you do not matter. I know as my friend and her family have struggled as we have, you just want to know your not alone, you want to know there are those around you who really care. In these situations you do find out who your real friends are, those friends who stick by you even though things are hard. We cannot be defined by our situations, by our circumstances that surround us. When loss hits, when changes come we must remember we are children of God, and He is with us always. Although we might feel alone in this world, we are not alone in Him. We can take comfort knowing He is with us, He hasn't forgotten us, He hasn't turned away and He never will. Through this trial He is showing me to just turn to Him, to just keep my eyes on Him, not the things around me, or the lack of things around me, but to be content in Him. He is also teaching me that just because I am hurting, that doesn't mean others can see that clearly, so I too must learn to reach out to others, humbling myself, letting them know of my hurts and feelings. There are times that others cannot help if they do not know the need, so that is why we must be honest when others ask, "How are you doing?" If you are going through a trial, I pray you are surrounded by love and compassion, by people reaching out to you, but if you are not, know that God works in mysterious ways, and He will bring you through, and as He shows you mercy, you will learn mercy for others, He will open your eyes to others hurting, and He will make a way for you to bring blessings to others around you. When we reach out to others we are showing the love of God. When we surround ourselves with God's love, He will move us to reach out. When we reach out to others, we learn about ourselves, and it is not only the person we are reaching out to that is blessed, we too find blessings in touching the hearts of others, in seeing God do His work.

Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

1 Corinthians 10:24 "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well being."

Romans 15 "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Lord, thank You for surrounding me with Your love, with Your passion, and with Your grace for each day. Thank You for teaching me, for molding me, and help me to see other's needs, help me to stay focused on You, not my circumstances. Bless those today who are hurting, may you bring them comfort and peace in knowing You are there for them every step of the way.

BOOK GIVE A WAY!!!!!!

ANGELS by David Jeremiah is on my give a way list for you!! I will be blogging about this book the week of February 1-5. If you would like a chance to win a copy please leave a comment under this posting or the posting of the blog during that week and I will pick a winner February 5!!! So come on, leave a comment and just maybe you might be the winner of this amazing book!!

What are angels? What is their role in God’s plan? Are they present? Do they appear? Do they give us personal insight about our work, our worship? Many contemporary beliefs about angels are based on misconception and myth. Dr. David Jeremiah uses scripture to unveil the remarkable truth about these agents of heaven, and their role and work in our world—and lives. More than 60,000 units of this powerful book have sold in two past editions. This repackage of the original 1996 paperback will surely capture the attention of readers of all ages who seek a broad and thorough survey of scripture that clearly separates fact from fiction as it relates to angels. The book will appeal to the thousands who follow Dr. Jeremiah’s books, and radio and TV broadcasts. Relevant, little known biblical facts help readers sharpen their knowledge and sensitivities toward the spiritual reality of angels. Dr. Jeremiah’s enlightening findings are supported with illustrations and insights from Billy Graham, Corrie ten Boom, C.S. Lewis, and more.

Dr. David Jeremiah is senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego, and founder of Turning Point Radio and TV Ministries. His radio program is carried on over 2,500 stations worldwide, while the TV broadcast is received by 500 million homes via cable and satellite. The recipient of numerous awards for broadcast excellence, his books have garnered Gold Medallion awards and become bestsellers with The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the New York Times. He is a sought-after conference speaker by organizations nationwide.

the journey

We never know just where our journey is taking us, but with Jesus we can know our destination. Our walk with Jesus is not an easy road, life is life, but with Him, we are not walking alone and we can gain His strength to help us through. I can see in my life before I met Jesus just how He was calling me, protecting me and leading me to Him. Eight years ago when my migraines and panic attacks came just how He moved in my life and how I know without Him I couldn't get through. Although my migraines and panic attacks are not gone from me, I know that right there in the midst of them that He is with me. As I began writing a year ago, I didn't see where He was taking me, and in many ways I still do not know what is to come, but I know that this journey has been pretty amazing. He is still opening doors and I have learned so much about Him on this journey He has me on. As my husband lost his job a little over a year ago, the fear of the unknown, the fear of the known also brought us to our knees. My husband still doesn't have a job yet, but I know Jesus is right here with us, supplying our needs, and meeting us just where we are at. As my children go through many different facets in their lives, as they go on their own walk, I know Jesus hasn't left them. To see our children make mistakes is heartbreaking, but as I too learned from my wrong choices, I know Jesus never gave up on me. To get to the mountain top we have to travel through the valleys in life, and those journeys can hurt us, they can bring uncertainty, they can change us forever. Our journey can bring us closer to Jesus or farther away. That is our choice, but His choice in our journey never changes, His choice is to be with us every step of the way. Journeys can be confusing, they can be moments where we ask "Why, when, how, and what?" But through these moments is when we can really find Jesus in the midst of our journey, in the walk we never thought we would have to take, in the midst of our tears, and pain. When we find ourselves with loss, with pain we don't understand, there is one place for us to turn and that is Jesus. I am not saying we will find all of the answers we are looking for just when we ask, but we can find peace, forgiveness for others and ourselves. We can find hope for tomorrow. Jesus is with us on our walk, through the muddy waters, through the hills that are covered with rocks, and on those slippery slopes. He will take us to another place with His strength and grace if we will accept what He is freely giving to us. We can call His name at any moment and He is there. When people ask,"Why did this happen?" I can't answer the whys for you, but I know the One who can, and in His time He shows us just what we need to know. When my dad died in my teenage years I asked, "Why", and found no answer. I have to say, I still do not know why, but I know Jesus was there with me, even though I didn't know He was. He was watching, He was seeing my tears, and pain, and He brought me through, through to His love today. Sometimes it is enough for me to know that He is just there, its enough for me to know whatever happens I am never alone. I am learning to be content, to be still and its not always easy, but as I keep trying, He blesses me in many ways, not always the way I ask or expect, but the way He knows is going to help me. We must remember His ways are higher than our ways. Although we may not know what today will bring or be ready for it, He is! So on your journey, its okay to ask, its okay to wonder, that is how we find Him. As of today I know my journey is not over, I want to go wherever He is calling, cause I know what He has for me is best. I am the clay and He is the potter, I want to be molded in Him.


So today Lord I am asking for Your guidance, for Your strength and love. I am asking that on my journey you lead me and guide me in Your ways, and teach me to follow You, show me how to trust in You every day and may my journey bring glory and honor to You.



Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He."

Jeremiah 9:23-24 "Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord."

2 Peter 1:5-9 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, to to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins."

what do you mean no smile?

I am one who hides my feelings and pain. I try to put on a smile for everyone, but what I am learning is, I don't have to pretend, I can just be me, and if I things are hard, I can just be me and say, "Today really stinks". The amazing thing is, God is okay with that. He doesn't want me to pretend , He wants me to be real and be me. Its when we are real that He is shining through. He already knows my pain, He knows my circumstances, so why do I feel I need to put on a show for others? To put on a fake smile? Life right now in our home just stinks! There is no other way to say that. No job hurts, bills piling up hurts, not knowing hurts. Migraines suck, and pain from fibromyalgia gets me down, but I do not have to pretend anymore. When I am honest, when I am showing my real feelings, it is not saying I don't have faith, it is not saying I don't believe, if anything, it is saying I have faith, and I do believe, because its when we are hurting, when things are scary that we call upon Jesus, and He always shows up. I many not know how our bills will get paid this month, or if I will feel great tomorrow, but I know that through these trials, Jesus is there, and He is teaching me to just be real. Having faith is believing in the unseen, so when I cannot see what tomorrow is bringing in, when I don't have a quick answer, and when my heart is full of questions as to why all this is happening, my faith is growing, I am sharing with Jesus, and I am walking every step with Him. If everything was a yes answer, if everything was all bright and shiny in my life, if everything was going according to my plan, would I really need Jesus? Would I be looking for Him? It is in these times of struggle, in these times of pain that He shows Himself. I can have peace knowing He is there and things may just not turn out as I want them, but no matter what happens He is taking every step with me. I may have a migraine for a few weeks, I may pray it is gone, for whatever reason it stays, I haven't lost faith, it is strengthened because I know Jesus is right there with me through my pain. I know that He is walking each step with us as my husband continues to look for work. I don't have to be the life of the party, I don't have to tell others, "Oh, we are doing great, I know something is gonna turn up soon!" Well, I have learned, it just might not turn out as I want or intend it to, and with His peace, I am learning that it is okay. Its okay to cry, its okay to get angry, its okay to ask, "Why"? He isn't going to leave me, but He is going to cling to me. So for me, its time to be honest, its time to be real and share the truth in my heart. I don't have to smile when things are hard, I just have to keep focused on Him and in my pain with His peace, He will place a smile in my heart with His love~

2 Timothy 2:3 "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

Psalm 31:24 "Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."

Through the trials in life, through the heartache and times of distress is when God is molding us, He is creating us to be the person He wants us to be. Just because I walk as a Christian does not mean things will always be happy, it doesn't mean that my circumstances will always bring a smile to my face. I may not find the answers I am looking for until the other side of heaven, but it is in that, heaven that I can find real peace through all things.

Once in a blue moon

Wow, who know there was really a blue moon and it comes every 19 years? This year I will be married to my husband for 19 years, and last night we watched the blue moon together as the new year came in, and what a glorious sight it was. Last night as we were watching the moon, watching the ball drop together, it just came to me how amazing time is. How as we were looking at the moon, everyone in the world was looking at the same beautiful moon, the same moon our God made for His glory. I am just so amazed at how are times are different, and as we watched the ball drop at midnight, those in New York had watched it two hours before and those in California would watch it two hours later. I know, I am always thinking about things most people do not give a second thought, but this just brings my heart right back to Jesus, just how He made everything to be in sink together, nothing is by chance, and no matter where we are we can all look to the same God, Jesus Christ and know that He created all the beauty around us, everything is in His time, and His plan, and for His glory. As people celebrated all across the world last night, bringing in the New Year, we were all celebrating the same year, thinking of losses, or blessings, and thinking about this new year that we will all experience together under the same moon and the same Son.

As you bring in your new year, I pray you know Him, I pray you see Him and all of His glory He has bestowed before us. We are all connected through the same God, one Savior, who came for all, we were created to be His children and to worship Him and Him alone. May you have a year that is full of His grace and mercy, and may you experience His love in a new way in this new year~

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Genesis 1:14-19 "Then God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be fore lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light to the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the forth day."

With the lights that God has given us to light the world, a world in which we all see His beauty, may we be lights in this world to touch those around us~

is that dirt in my floor?

A few days ago after I had cleaned the house my husband decides to put his boots on in the living room and what happens? He leaves dirt in my floor, dirt that he smiles, and says, "Can you clean that up for me?" For a moment, my first thought was, "I just cleaned that floor, and now you want me to clean up after you?" My second thought, was the voice of the Lord, and I could hear His words saying, "Serve my sweet daughter." Here I am tired and thinking I am so tired of cleaning up after others, what am I a maid? Jesus spoke right to my heart. No, I am not a maid, but I am a servant. For all my husband does for me, why did that little bit of dirt in the floor bother me? It was just dirt, right? I get the broom, clean it up and the next day, the same thing happens. More dirt! I thought I am so angry right now, and again the Lord spoke, and I could hear the words, "I washed the feet of those I loved". It was one of the sweetest moments, just me, the Lord and the dirt on the floor. Jesus didn't come to be served, He came to serve, and He is our greatest example of love. As I read over the words in John 13, I could see my Jesus, washing the feet of the disciples, I could see the love in His eyes and in those He was serving. What a beautiful picture, what a beautiful symbol of love.

John 13:14-17 "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one anothers feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than His master; nor is he who is sent greater than He who sent Him."

Love is an action, service is an action, and when we choose to love and serve God, we choose to do that for others, not just the ones we love, but all. That dirt was not on MY floor, it was on the floor of Jesus. All I have is His, all I love is His, and how humbling it is to remember that Jesus didn't put Himself above others, He put Himself right there with us, right there in the dirt He touched me, He spoke to my heart words I needed to hear right then.

In the biblical times when they entered a house they washed their feet, so for Jesus to take the water, the towel, and to place their feet in His hands was something they could not grasp right then, but Jesus showed them the greatest gift is love, it is sacrifice and it is serving. I need to follow His example daily, I need to walk in such a way that others see Jesus in my actions and words.

My husband wasn't being mean when he smiled and asked me to clean up the dirt in the floor, he was asking his wife, kindly to help him. Instead of me getting angry about a little dirt that can be swept up, I needed to be thankful I have a husband to clean up dirt after, a husband who loves me and shows me love. I needed to rethink my actions as I swept up dirt, for whatever I do, I should do for my Savior and I should do it humbly, with love, always thinking of all He gave and did for me, and still does today.

Thank you Jesus for Your words, for having a sweet moment with You to share. Please keep me humble, keep my heart in the right place, right there with You, and You with me. Help me to always be grateful, and to always serve with a glad heart~

Galatians 5:13 "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Through true liberty, we find love in serving others, in that service we find love~