In a world that seems determined to leave us feeling powerless, in regards to everything from Government infighting to Global Warming, we can often feel out of our depth to make a difference.
If I personally look too long at all the things I cannot fix, it leaves me feeling discouraged. If I get discouraged, then I find myself slowing down to look in that pet store window for way too long, so to speak.
I can easily become more focused on where the grass could be greener, instead of focusing on watering my own yard! This is NOT a healthy attitude to carry for a woman who prays, which is really the only effective way I believe most can bring any change. In my opinion, we need some serious Miracles to occur for any real healthy changes.
So, to keep this woman who prays going strong, Note To Self #7 comes from 2 Corinthians 10:4,5…
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
This reminds me of where the power to change truly lies, and this restores the hope that fuels my ability to stand in the gap for others, through praying!
Since I mentioned the idea of miracles, a song by Third Day titled, “I Need a Miracle” popped into my memory and I thought it appropriate to share… https://youtu.be/bTjimzpyE4k?si=d4Fr9awLJoP72JdL
With my integrity still in tact for the most part, I will say that I have survived to date. If it is good enough for my God… well then… it works for me as well.
I am attempting to take some vacation days in between my major writing projects, so I made this brief. Otherwise I might have spent hours regaling you with my tales of valor and my exceptional life skills.
Take heart, it could be worse… I could have forgotten to leave you goodies!
I would love to be an Author, a Storyteller, or a Singer… wait, I guess I already am pretty much! Just on the cheap… and the prompt did not say we have to be good at it.
I write and you read it, so there is that in my Author department. I tell Stories of all types, I just have a small audience. I sing every single day, whether it is here at home, or out on the trail. Just don’t ask the passersby or the wildlife why they are running the other way.
The point is, focus on doing what you dream of doing… never let money stop you!
When we open the door for that stranger at the Gas Station, and they walk through without giving any response… no eye contact, no verbal thank you, and not even a nod of appreciation…
Since I was never claimed by any one, let alone a culture, this question makes me very uncomfortable, if I am being completely honest. I am proud to be an American, though our Government is nothing but a filthy swamp, filled with the selfish and often nefarious motives worn by our leaders. I am not proud of that part, nor interested in any form…
All I can say, without being flippant or disrespectful, is that the only culture I have traced back to my beginnings is me!
My culture could be called The Foster Care System, but there is nothing there I want to brag about to anyone. The only culture of Me that I can clearly recall is God and His relentless pursuit of my heart.
In complete honesty, if God had not interceded on my behalf as a small child, I would not be here today, so ya I am pretty proud of Him. I suppose this also means that I find a great interest in Him, as well as pride…
So, as to the prompt question, the aspects of my cultural heritage (God) that I am proud of or interested in, would be the Heart of God!
This seems right up my alley this morning… I got this!
I associate with Raisin Brand… Brandaids… Rembrandt… Brandy… Cattle Branding… I love Brandishing my sword when I game… and I totally associate with anything Brand New…
What? Am I wrong? Don’t judge or Brand me as cheesy because of this.
Please don’t tell me that my sense of humor is Off Brand… lololololol
Ok Ok… I’ll stop… but it was funny and you know you laughed. Just for all your efforts, I will leave you with a morning goodie…
It seems only yesterday that we embarked on our adventure, and yet, here we are walking barefoot in the sand toward our village destination. What a journey it has been getting here, all the highs and all the lows… rogues and bandits, the Otterfolk, and a baby dragon, of all things. So many experiences I never saw coming when it all began. I am also astounded, at the commitment of all my faithful friends. I feel that I can call you my friends after all we have experienced together, don’t you?
I can say that if I have to be a human burrito with someone, I would choose you, Bubbles. Crocket, I can’t think of anyone I would rather have my eyebrow singed off by a dragon with. James I shall forever think of you as my favorite sword wielding front runner, always clearing a path. Christine, without your voice to enrich and encourage us, we might well have lost heart on more than one occasion. I am certain that the little otter babe Milka, will never forget you singing for him that night at the village.
Last night was such a wonderful time, sitting around the fire and sharing our favorite bits of the journey. I will forever cherish the beautiful dragon figurine that you made for me, Carver. It will carry the memories of all we accomplished together. Cate my friend, none of us would have fared as well, had it not been for your gifted skills at healing. I can say that we all are eternally grateful that you stuck to the journey with us.
Though I am unable to speak for any of you, I know that my life will be forever changed because of you, and I hesitate to leave this moment.It feels a bit strange standing here, looking across the sand to the shore. My stomach is filled with butterflies, unsure of what to expect when we arrive.
Look there at the waters edge… I think I can see the one that was lost to me, and they’re waving for us to approach. The sun makes it difficult to see the people clearly from here. It looks as if there is quite a large group of others there, as well. Come on, hurry! Let’s go join them…
Beyond the story lies our truths…
As our party approached our lost companion, we were shocked to discover we saw our very own images reflecting off of the surface of the ocean.
All along it was us, and that which had been lost was a part of our soul that has now been recovered and restored to each of us. That which had been running away in fear, had been our very own courage! Courage to believe in ourselves, or perhaps courage to step out in faith doing something that we know we should… it is not for me to say.
We are now able to see the gift we had been delivering, though it will be unique to each soul who looks within their own bags.Consider your bag to be God’s Spirit! It is with you at all times, whether you carry it within your heart (belief), or choose to carry it on your side (searching). Either way the bag (God’s love and provision) will always be faithful to you, so my hope is that you will keep it with you, even though I travel on and you return to your lives.Now that we have been given our courage back, it is for each adventurer to determine the path before them. I leave you here, in order to process, understand and choose your own path. Remember that I am always near, assuming you keep your bag handy for contact.
Perhaps one day, some of you will tell me what your gift was and what you chose to do with it. As for me…
For now, I have been called away on matters of importance to my Commander. This little brute has a journey of his own that must be undertaken, and it has been asked that I go along to assist.
The Commanders parting message for me was this, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Luke 12:32-34
So, with that, I must leave you here and journey on toward that which I have been commissioned…
Fear not for we can be assured that our paths will cross again… but a small boy is in need of a Dragon, I think, so this storyteller has much work to do. Keep your eyes open for my lantern out there on the paths you travel. I will keep the light burning bright for you …
Yes folks… this is what I decided it must look like when I try to do self recording videos out on the trail. So for everyones sake, I have made the executive decision to avoid talking or selfies, as I am either going to trip, scare someone, or drop my phone… or heaven forbid, drop my COFFEE!!!
I came to several insights this morning as I walked. One insight was that, perhaps the virtual part is more important than the mouth part. I simply don’t find anything important enough to say, because I am too busy listening. While walking, God whispers to me both in words, as well as music. This morning, as I was walking along, listening to music and trying to record a video without falling into the river, I was taken aback by the words of this song…
I realized that when we walk together and I am taping it, God is there the whole time, quietly spending precious moments with this wild daughter of His. So, when you walk with me, you are near to the God of Ages… the maker of everything… this orphan’s Father! You’re spending a precious 3 to 5 quiet moments of your time with Him… along with me, the camera holder.
From now on, every time you click on those videos I post, I am praying that God breathes love and blessings into your worlds, simply by being near Him… just like He does for this child.
The second insight that arrived during this walk, was just that, the walk! I asked myself why walking is so important to me? I mean, why do I feel the need to keep bringing you along, and yet have nothing of value to say? This isn’t rocket science for crying out loud! I think it might have to do with who is doing the walking and who is doing the talking. My favorite part of the walks are usually when God shows me things, and if I am talking … I am not listening, nor am I learning!
The question God asked me this morning was, “Who are you walking for?” What a loaded question! That sort of stuff, ladies and gents, is the reason I am most often on the trail for 1 to 2 hours a day. I walk because I know that I cannot talk at the same time with the pace I keep. God knows this, and my suspicion is that He chooses these precious moments when my mouth is shut, to whisper His guiding and sustaining words to my spirit. I found that my spirit knows my human body needs the activity for many reasons, but somehow my body responds wholeheartedly, desiring to give my spirit its quiet time, for God to rejuvenate and refill my reservoir.
Walking, for me, is all about the balance I guess. My hope in sharing a few precious moments with you each week, is perhaps you will maybe get a top off on Your spiritual love tank too.
Journey With Me! 