The Grass is Always Greener?

I walked 18 holes of golf yesterday morning (even though we had a high of 104 degrees by mid day!) and as I walked I noticed how beautiful the grass looked ahead of me, smooth and soft. But when I arrived to that same spot I had gazed upon a few minutes earlier, I noticed that the grass was bumpy and hard in places. It made me think about how often we think that everyone else around us is living a smooth, soft life and we are the only ones going through hard times. But when we get close to those "everyone elses" we find that their lives are as bumpy and hard as ours is. Actually, I have found that other people are going through much hard things than I am going through. (They probably think that about my trials too)

So the next time you think the grass is greener further down the fairway...remember...there will be bumps ahead. I sure am glad that I know and can count on my Abba Daddy to be with me and help me through those bumpy places. As His children we can rest secure in His love and care for us.

Where do you carry your water?

My daughter had a junior high science teacher who took her class on a trip to Death Valley one spring. I was invited to go along as a helper and as we climbed the beautiful sand dunes, her teacher informed us that we should always carry our water in our stomachs, not in the bottles he had provided us. He said that if the water stays in the bottles, it doesn't do our bodies any good. But if that water is in our bodies, it is refreshing and hydrating us against the 90 degree heat of the desert. (It's also easier to carry water that way!)

I've noticed that I can apply this principle to the water which is the Word of God. If I leave my Bible sitting next to my bed and don't open it and drink in His goodness, then it really is not helping me. But as I drink the Word on a daily basis and keep it within me, it refreshes and hydrates me against the dryness of our existence.

It's too easy to go about our day, not spending time in the most valuable book on earth. But in the long run, life really will be harder and dryer. I pray that I would grow in my adoration of Him so that I would choose to carry His refreshing Word deep within me!

Report: Battle Won!!

Sorry that it has been so long since my last post. My husband and I have been very busy with business (and a little vacationing!) I wanted to report that one of our long ongoing battles was won last week when we finalized the purchase of the building our restaurant has leased for over 20 years. I think it has been about a year and a half that we have been working on this purchase and have seen over and over the hand of our Heavenly Father move on our behalf. Certainly my faith has not always been strong, but our Faithful God was always there to strengthen and encourage us.

I am amazed not only at the faithfulness of my Heavenly Father but also of my growth in faith during this long war. I have discovered that we are warriors who are able to overcome the plans of the enemy. I have discovered that our prayers are powerful and effective. I have discovered that we can hear God's voice and sense His leading. I have discovered that we can trust God with the battles of our lives. And I have discovered that God has surrounded us with friends and family who are willing to battle with us.

There are so so many more things that I have discovered but I think that as you have journeyed with me via my blogs, that you have seen what God has taught me. Above all, I have experienced His loving kindness and grace to a degree that I never could have had I not been in this long long war. The enemy does come to kill, steal and destroy, but praise God - He is able to deliver us. Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world. Thank you God for everything!!

P.S. We received a major breakthrough today for another battle we have been in so I will report on that as soon as I can.