May you take heart in knowing that God is preparing you for what He has already prepared for you! There is a new season that is already waiting for you. As you allow yourself to take on the fullness of God’s processing in your life, He is doing a work in you already, even if you can’t see it, so that you will be ready for the day when God opens up all the doors and allows you to walk into that new place. Maybe it’s time to “clean house” so you can be fully ready for it.

Today is another beautiful Tennessee morning. I’m fighting a cold, so I slept in just a bit. As I rolled out of bed, I grab my robe, my computer and a cup of tea to settle in for the better half of the day in my study. I’ve stared out the window of my study now for at least 45 minutes asking God to give me a fresh word. And…..nothing. Nothing comes to mind. My fingers are frozen to the keys on my computer. “Move fingers, type something brilliant!” I think it’s just one of those days when I feel numb and I’m at a loss for words, but the tears fall freely. I miss the life that I once knew. I miss the love that surrounded my life.

My life was forever changed 10 years ago. It’s soo hard to believe it’s been 10 years already. I’m moved to tears at this moment thinking about days missed, yet embracing the days the Lord has given me to discover all the many new adventures surrounding my life… when I was ready for them.

I’ve been shaken to the core and still I stand with my fist held high proclaiming that I am unshakeable in this moment. But that’s just it. Sometimes we go from moment to moment, day to day, season to season. Even in chaotic uncertain times we can be assured that our very lives are in the grip of a loving God.

Life is tough I know, but don’t make the mistake today of thinking that God is not interested in your problems, concerns, hopes or dreams! Because the trust is that scripture makes it really clear that God hears and DOES answer our prayers. I love that and needed that reminder today myself! I totally understand that we all experience times when we wish God would respond immediately and when He doesn’t we can begin to feel soo abandoned and completely defeated thinking He’s just too busy for us.

I love the story of Joshua. Scripture says in Joshua 10:12-14, He was in the midst of a great battle and he and his men were trying to finish off this army before the sun went down. He knew that this army would rise up and cause them soo many problems if he didn’t. Joshua could have easy gotten discouraged and had a defeated attitude but he stepped up and a new boldness surrounded him. He said, “God I know this is totally unusual and completely out of the ordinary but I’m asking you to stop the sun for me so I can complete this task at hand. I need daylight.”

Happy December everyone. There’s soo much for us to be thankful for. And I can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner. Did you all get my Christmas list this year? LOL No worries, there’s just a few things I want like Peace on Earth, a Fat Boy Harley, my neighbors dog to stop barking for hours and a new pair of sneakers. But that’s it…not too much to ask for I don’t think. You should have seen LAST years list! LOL

Ok, so here’s some food for thought. And just like it does for me, may it speak directly to you at this moment!

The challenge of “moving on” from our past and into our future is much easier said than done, especially when soo much is undefined and at times can be far from a secure feeling in our lives. But what most of us can probably say about “moving on” is that we KNOW it’s something that will be good for us, better for us and something that God is calling us to. A place where the sun is shining a little brighter and the air is more lovely to breathe.

I don’t know about you but I can always use a little more of the Presence of God in my life. Sometimes I get going sooo fast that I honestly forget to talk to Jesus or to “bring Him into the situations of life” with me. Ya know what I mean? Simple but true right! 🙂

I was at a girlfriends house last night and she handed me this new devotional that she got by Sarah Young titled JESUS CALLING. Holly said, “honestly there isn’t a day that goes by when it doesn’t speak to my life on some level”.

This month is a really simple Devotional word for us all….LIFT UP YOUR EYES!

Psalm 121 gives us a really clear picture of the way God cares for us in such a personal way and on a very personal level. “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (vv.1,2).

My phone just rang. I answered and said, “Hello Lisa, how are you?” And she replied, “I’m building Character. How are you?” I LOVED it. What a cool response. What a purposeful thing to say. I told Lisa that I’m STEELING that phrase this year. Because more than anything it will remind me of what I long to be each time it comes out of my mouth. A woman of character in everything that I do. Which actually means that I need to keep working on some things that seem to be taking me some time…years to achieve. (smile)