Thankful Thursday: Aha Moments

I have been re-reading one of Max Lucado's books today and neon lights have been going off, giving me a few "aha" moments. Don't you just love when that happens??!!
Today my thankfulness focuses on those aha moments that God blesses me with.

Thank You Lord For The Aha's :

The aha of realizing that my new glasses have given me a clearer view and I can not only read easier, but enjoy nature much better from my window!

The aha moment of realizing how privileged I am to be able to read. To not only have all the time in the world to thumb through the pages of a book, but having the ability to read. I have always believed if you can read, the world is at your fingertips...you can do anything!

The aha moment of realizing how much God loves me ~ sending me encouragement in the form of the prayers of others, devotionals, and your Word. Also the words that pop out and grab me through the Internet, books, and even the TV.

The aha moment of realizing that God loves me so much He wants what is best for me AND He wants me to be the best I can for Him. Not only encouraging me but teaching me. For His glory. To be a witness for Him.

The aha moment of realizing once again that my God is a powerful, mountain-moving, earth shaking God!

The aha moment of realizing that I have had more aha moments in my lifetime than I can ever count!

May you be washed in aha moments this day.

For Love Of Pansies

Pansies are one of my favorite flowers. My love of this velvety flower started when I was a child~ ~I remember planting pansies at school for our mothers and presenting this gift to my mom on Mother's Day. The joy she expressed stayed with me for many years. When she died at age 92 we had pansies at her funeral. They hold a special place in my heart and every year Joel gives me pansies for Mother's Day at my request. Here are photos of this year's bright colorful array! Aren't they beautiful?
The Pansies we grow today originated in England and were created by cross breeding several plants. They are ancestors of the viola and wild Pansy, and their name is derived from the french word, "penses" which means thought or remembrance. I have also heard them called "Hearts-ease", and that they are. A little tidbit for you: they are edible!

On a personal level, I have always been fascinated with how delicate pansies look, but how strong they really are. They have such narrow stems, I am amazed that they can hold up such a large flower. I have watched them droop and close down in a rain, or be blown around in the wind, but they come right back up and stand tall sharing their beauty with us again when the storms have passed. They are very resilient.

Of course I can't resist comparing these delicate but sturdy flowers to those who live with chronic illness or other challenges. We often have a delicate body and find ourselves blown around by the wind or bent over with the heavy rains that come into our lives....but with God's help we are able to be strong ~ sharing our own beauty ~ the gifts we are given and what we have learned on our journey ~ with others. We are resilient.

We Walk By Faith

Sometimes the way before us is filled with a mist. We are unable to see clearly and may find ourselves struggling to take the next step, not sure of what lies on the path ahead. We may become frightened and question what is waiting for us, and we may imagine that terrible things are ahead, so we refuse to move until the way is clear. We become bound by fear. And when fear moves in, it takes control and robs us of any lasting peace.

2 Timothy 1:7 tells us we do not need to have a spirit of fear! And throughout the Bible God tells us over and over again to "Fear not".

2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us we do not walk by sight. We walk by faith. We believe even though we do not see. We know that God has a plan for us...a plan for good and not for evil and with each step we take forward into the mist....into the unknown, our fears subside and our faith gives us the courage to keep moving forward on the journey God has laid out for us.

We walk by faith.

Happy Mother's Day!

Rooted In Faith

Our neighbor planted a beautiful flowering crab tree last year. I am able to see it from my sofa sanctuary and right now it is in full bloom. It looks like such a delicate tree with it's tall skinny branches and small trunk, but when the wind blows it just bends with it while the deepening roots keep it safely in the ground.

We may at times feel as fragile as this tree's branches and trunk look, but with God's strength we are able to bend in the wind of our troubles and stay rooted in our faith. And with God's love we are able to grow in our faith and bloom right where we are planted~ just like this wonderful flowering crab tree that brightens my view.

It is a great reminder to me that God can use me in all my circumstances, even when I am weak. Maybe more so!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13.