Inhaling His Whispers of Rich Grace

  As we walk this life we get to live - we have a choice. The dark thoughts want to leave their mark in our minds and we can give in to them or push them back.  One of the ways is to intentionally look for the good that is in and among all what is broken, chaotic, and hard. This morning was one of those days. As I took my morning walk, I chose to specifically look for and open my heart to see what good may be around me. Each counting of gifts, every notice of good is a push back on the darkness and hindering if from making tracks and winning. Looking for the gifts doesn't negate or ignore the hard, it simply doesn't let negativity take over. It pulls us toward the light.  Life holds weeds in and among the good.  Life is both/and not or. Geese flying south. (just above the treeline :))  Sometimes we really do need to look hard. ;) Freshly cut grass and enjoying the markings in the grass. Sun's rays and warmth after many days of cloudy. Random plant growing among ...

  Jesus has said, "I am with you always." Matthew 28:20

  Joy. Sorrow. Pain. Peace. Good. Bad.. Negative. Positive. Strengths. Weaknesses. Responding. Reacting. It seems that life is continually pulling us one way or the other; creating a dance that at the best of times leaves us panting, questioning, and wondering if we'll ever learn the steps.   This push/pull between life ebbing and flowing, between the moments that make our hearts soar or leave it floundering, create a dance that I too often find myself stumbling over the steps. Sometimes I'm too much and other times it's just right.   Sometimes we laugh too loudly or maybe not at all. It rains too much or not enough. Life hands us a loss and/or a promotion. Sometimes I'm too exuberant in sharing and other times it was apples of gold in pictures of silver. Sometimes someone likes me and then they don't. One moment we may be rejoicing and the next left in tears. I trust God one time and the next I find myself reaching for what I can manage. One time my prayer is g...