Retreat

I wonder what God has in store for me this weekend.  I want to be open... to be ready.  I want to hear Him, to feel Him, and to see Him in nature, in people, in whatever way he reveals Himself.  I want to not be afraid of what He might ask of me.  I am so in need of Him.  I am tired.  Life has been so busy.  Jesus says "come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest".  'Rest', what does that look like?
 I am learning more and more that God wants us to spend time with Him, to just BE with Him.  It is in the BEING with Him that we are filled and energized once again to be busy in His kingdom.  It is in the BEING with Him that He teaches us truth about ourselves.  That can be a painful and difficult journey at times but He walks with us.  The amazing thing is that He does not give up, He keeps pursuing and leading!  God knows who He created each of us to be and because of His love, He works in us to remove anything that keeps us from being who we were created to be.  Oh, this is not always what we want or would choose.  We are like little children who don't know what is best for us.  And so I wonder once again what He has in store.  I was packed and as ready as I thought I would be and then somehow God has me pick up a book that has been 'waiting' to be read for some time and almost as soon as I open it, I know that I need to take this book along.  He has a way of doing that.  It is not at all what I planned on reading.  But I am learning to listen.  That book is now packed along with a couple of others and of course my Bibles.  We'll see where He leads me as I retreat with HIM...

Invisible People

It has been such a busy week and even Sundays have become busier and busier it seems.   Everyone I have talked to except for one person has said that last week was an exceptionally busy or stressful week.  I wonder why that was??  Hopefully this week is better.  It has been a good weekend in many ways and then there is stuff that is tough.  Times of feeling God near in ways that have not been felt in some time and that is exciting and then other times of feeling alone and sad.  Times of laughter and times of tears.  Times of being hurt and times of being lifted up.  And realizing that I am not alone in these kinds of feelings.  Too often I am hearing people apologize for crying or for being upset, when there is deep hurt and struggle.  Why, oh why do we all feel like we have to appear like everything is okay when it is not.  I guess part of that is that we are just not connected in our North American culture the way we should be.  How many people have someone that they feel free to call up and say I just need you...to listen and to care.  Today in our church we had a message about invisible people, who in our society are often the homeless.  Homeless for a number of reasons and 'invisible' to many.  It is a huge problem and so sad.  And we need to become more aware and get involved and step out and Be Jesus and See Jesus.   But also right next to us in our churches, in our neighbourhoods, in our workplaces are more 'invisible' people.  They stand next to us in their hurting with smiles covering their hurt...masks on.  God, help us to see, to hear, to love and to reach out so that no one is invisible, so that everyone is 'seen' and 'known' and 'loved'.  That is what your kingdom is like...everyone known and loved!  May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven!

For to be known is to be loved;
And to be loved is to be known.
And they all need this, too.
We all do
Need it for our own.

Listen to this video "The Woman at the Well Monologue" written by Chris Kinsley & Drew Francis here

Amaryllis

I received an Amaryllis bulb from a friend yesterday.  I planted it today and am excited to see it grow!  Bulbs and plants make me think of new life, especially in this season of fall where everything is fading and dying...goodbyes.  And this morning there is snow on the ground and winter is arriving.  This bulb will remind me of the spring and new life to come...so thankful for this gift.  I'll think of my friend as I watch it grow, and I'll think of new life and...hellos.

Encouragement & Blessing

Thinking today what a difference a few words of thanks or encouragement can make.  How uplifting even a couple of words or a note can be.  To the sender they may seem small or not that significant but to the recipient they bring much blessing.  Praying that I always remember to bless others with those words of encouragement and thanks as I was blessed today.  It makes a difference.