My friend, on the other hand, loves to cook and show off her cheffy side. Consequently she does not let her company bring any food.

Meaning? What do I bring the hostess?

Well... I have this little patch of flowers that I have blogged about this summer- a little patch that has grown up around my mailbox. So - I cut a few zennias and stuck them in a darling vase I picked up at Goodwillfor $1.25.

Today my friend's kitchen table is graced by a gift my Father and I jointly gave her- a lovely boquet of flowers grown from seeds I planted, watered and nurtured by Creator God.

I hope every time she sees my little contribution to her home she smiles and knows how much she is loved.

Have you thought of doing a little refreshing work around your home or lifting someone else's spirts? Maybe a gift from God's creation is just the zing and pop you or your friend needs.

What's on your kitchen table? Something inspiring I hope. Whatever you choose, make sure it causes you and your home to

Shine!

WHEN GOD SAYS, “MOVE”

I believe God moves us to get our attention.

When God told Adam and Eve to pack up and move out of the Garden of Eden, I bet it got their attention.
Why do you think they had to move? We all know. They disobeyed. God needed to get their attention. Once out of the garden, whatcha’ wanna’ bet? They longed like they had never longed – to get back into His presence.

God has moved me to remind me that obedience is key to my relationship with Him. I long to live close to Him.

When all the builders joined to build the Tower of Babel and God saw their intentions, He sent them packing to the four corners of the earth confusing their communication.

God has moved me to remind me that He is higher than I will ever be.
When the next generations became wicked and God moved Noah and his family into the ark telling them to shut the door and set sail, He did so to remove wickedness.

God has moved me to separate me from sinful behavior. Sometimes He moved me to give me a second chance. Other times I moved as a result of God's protection.

I could keep commenting-continuing with Abraham and Sarah’s moves, charting Biblical history through the entire Old Testament all the way to John’s move onto Patmos where he received a saw a vision of heaven.

God has moved me to remind me that life is all about moving and one day I will move to the house of the Lord – Forever!

God has moved me to get my attention and He succeeded. I know my last move will be an attention getter – can you imagine pulling up to heaven’s gates, movin’ in to never move on again!

That's a reason to

Shine

If you have dropped in for a visit after having read the Proverbs 31 Encouragement for Today devotion, welcome.

Let's chat a while longer about composing and quieting souls surrounded by destruction and  disaster.
Lately I have been praying for healing:

Healing of relationships. Fissures and gaps so huge, I’m not really sure the pieces can ever be put back together. They are matters too great for me!

Healing of mind, soul, and body. Issues so complex and overwhelming, no doctor, therapist, or drug will cure. These are matters too great for me!

I have also prayed for relief from life’s crushing blows.

I’ve asked God to answer specific requests, dreams and desires of my heart that would bring me such joy, I can’t even imagine the bliss, if He would only say, “Yes,” to my pleas.

Truth be told, my prayer requests appear to me to be the impossible dream. If I allow myself, I could easily despair over the thought that maybe I’ll be waiting a life time for responses to deep cries from my heart.

And then I begin to scheme, manipulate, figure out how to get my way, coerce people into situations that really don’t get to the bottom of the “issue”.

Anything for relief, answers, rest, peace.

“Oh to just have the power to fix those matters and get my way!”
Matters too great for me!
Finally, after working to unravel the web, after too many sleepless and worrisome nights, after dissecting the problem, and pursuing all the possible avenues to correction  --- I give up…
realizing the matter is too great for me.

Then truth dawns:
Matters too great for me are not too great for My God.
“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” Jesus

So I go to Jesus and He performs a miracle.

In the midst of matters too great for me, He surrounds me with peace, quieting my pounding heart, wiping away my tears, giving me rest.

Matters too great for me are NOT too great for My God.

Somehow, by believing that simple truth, I can’t help but

Shine!

Depending on the object of your wait, waiting might paralyze you.

Waiting is hard enough on its own.

On my way to church yesterday I spotted a home being moved into a moving van.


We don't see too many moving vans anymore. People aren't moving like they used to.

Yet, recenlty I have met several newcomers.

Of course the conversation moved in the direction of "moving."

It's hard.

It's lonely.

It's frightening.
It's intimidating.
Is it worth it to overcome the hurdles and become part of a new community?
Is it worth it to make new friends.

Is it worth it to open up, become vulnerable?

Is it worth it to step out?

Starting over... if you answer yes to the above questions, where do you begin?

How?

I have always been proactive. Rarely waited around for people to come to me. I reached out.

But in the meantime I have always had my own tried and true MO.

One of the first things I do upon moving is find a radio station. I make it a point to listen to praise music to keep my spirits up. Also because I usually have no friends in my new "hood." I choose to take friends with me wherever I go.
Who are these friends who can go with me wherever I go?

When my children were young I didn't have family to help me with my children so I turned to radio. Dr. Dobson of Focus on the Family doesn't know he raised my children, that he was my forever, regardless where I lived, counselor upon whom I depended for advise and godly counsel. I would love to be able to tell him how his presence in my homne lifted me on more than one occasion.

Before I found a church I always knew I could depend on David Jerimiah for my daily Bible study. David doesn't know it, but we are best friends!

Maybe you are one of those on the move people right now. Maybe you don't have any friends in your new home, yet. Why not tune in to Renee and Lysa of Proverbs 31 Ministires for a dialy pick-me-up.

I know moving can be a daunting and difficult task. One thing is sure- you are never alone. A friend is as close as the nearest radio.

And God is closer still. Turn to him and listen to his voice. He will certainly guide you toward friends, a church, and a purpose for your new life.

And as you work to settle in, always remember to

Shine!