Jeremiah 29:11 “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and no for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

There is a phrase from a song running through my head “do you know where you’re going to? Do you like with life is showing you...”  I would be surprised if a week goes by where someone doesn't ask me if I plan to home school forever or when I will put my kids into regular school.  I get occasional nudges and encouragement from people to remind me that maybe I ought to be working on my book in a more regular fashion, preparing it for publishing.  I have all kinds of encouragement coming at me to change what I eat and drink to become healthier and more natural in my nutrition.  Sometimes I feel my head spinning with all the input I receive and I do not know where to begin.  This passage reminds me that I do not need to know.  God has a plan for each of us, for our person, our neighborhood and our country.  The next verses tell us when we call to Him pray to Him, He will hear us.  He reminds us to seek Him with all our hearts and we will find Him.  Take a deep breath and release whatever lies heavily upon you to the Lord.  He has a plan.

Lord,

Thank you so much for this relief.  I know in my mind that you have a plan and it is good to receive this reminder to my heart.  Guide me in prayer and action.  When I look into my heart, let me find you there gently reminding me that your plan is unfolding and I can trust in you always.  Amen.

2 Timothy 2:23 “Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.”

Just yesterday I found myself picking apart words that were said to me.  I didn't jump in and spout out words that would have escalated the situation into a quarrel but I could have.  I watch these senseless controversies happen every single day in my home between my children and sadly even in the news and on social media.  I have even, inadvertently, been an instigator recently to one of these senseless controversies and it surely did breed quarrels.  Isn't it amazing how someone can take what we said and twist it around to something completely different? They actually do not hear the same thing we meant even though the words are not changed.  I have seen it and experienced it and it is strange and troublesome every time.  This verse calls us to step back from those moments.  Do not jump from the frying pan into the proverbial fire.  I know the only way I can manage to keep myself from getting burned is to keep my eyes and heart focused on Love.  Maybe then, I can be a guide for others to keep away from these follies too.

Lord,

We sure do like to be right and sometimes that desire gets in the way of truth and love.  Hold us back from stepping into trouble and being a part of a silly or senseless quarrel.  Guide our hearts and our words so we are careful with them; so that our actions and speech honor you and your love.  Amen.

Luke 18:16-17 “But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’”

As I was sitting in my rocking chair trying without success to sit and simply listen and be in the presence of the Lord, I heard the familiar thump, thump of my little boy coming down the stairs.  I sighed because now my quiet time was effectively over even though I was not done.  Right then is when this passage came to my heart.  When children are small they come without reservation, fully expecting to receive what they need and never doubting that they will be taken care of.  They are untainted by the world of nuance and innuendo so when they speak it is in their truth.  Maybe this is what Jesus meant when he said these words to his disciples.  Children come with pure intentions, pure desires and pure faith that it will happen.  How would our view change if we would come to the Lord in that same way?

Lord,

Our vision is clouded by the disappointments of this world.  When we look beyond this world and see the truth of your love and grace we are ashamed at our lack of trust and faith.  It is clear that you have never let us down; you have always given us everything we need and much more.  Help us see clearly what you have for us so that we can truly lift our hearts in praise.  Thank you Lord, thank you!  Amen.

Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord!”

I love watching the sun come up over the horizon.  Even as I type that I am astonished at my own words.  I used to relish sleeping in and it would take me a couple of hours to really wake up and be present to the day and there are still moments I can see the luxury of sleeping in.  However, there is something about the freshness of the morning that cannot be replaced.  The birds start singing their songs; the sun brings gentle light to the sky and gradually brightens to gleaming gold pouring out over the landscape.  The air is crisp and cool after a soothing night of rest.  I can almost hear the grass and trees stretching their voices of praise to God for another day of life.  As spring continues to unfold its wings the buds of the flowers and the buds on the trees unfold their petals and leaves in glory, singing songs of praise and honor to their Creator.  On this glorious spring day, I encourage us to stretch and unfold our hearts to our Creator as well.  Listen to the earth singing and join in your own song of praise for God is great and with our breath we are called to lift praises to Him!

Lord,

When I look at all of your creation I cannot help but lift my voice in praise to you.  Your world, the universe and all beyond are so glorious.  Thank you for the gift of life and the gift of your love.  I praise your name this day for all you have done and all you will do.  Amen.

Mark 6:42 “And all ate and were filled.”

How many times have I read and heard the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand?  I cannot count them.  I know this story from childhood so when I was led to read it again this morning I wondered what the purpose was.  What would God bring to my heart from this story today?  I woke up this morning with the thought “I am sufficient for you” running through my head and I know there are verses in the bible that talk about that.  This verse leapt off the page when I read it because it says the same thing to me.  Have you ever eaten until you were so full you hurt?  Sometimes we use food to fill the emptiness that is not hunger for nutrition.  Have you ever been at a meal where the conversation and company is such a blessing that you hardly ate and yet you were satisfied?  I picture that scenario in this story.  We need food for fuel and to sustain our energy and bodily health.  We need God to sustain our spirits and our souls.  When our souls are filled our needs are so much less in any other part of our lives.  Join me in seeking to be filled with the presence of God and only eating enough to sustain our energy and bodily needs.  Allow God and His word to be food for your soul.

Lord,

Help me place food in proper context today.  You are my true sustenance, food is simply fuel.  Help me enjoy the food you have provided and help me enjoy the fullness that your Spirit provides to my soul.  Thank you for your word today.  Amen.

Genesis 1:29 “God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food.’”

I am becoming more and more aware of the food I eat.  Our society talks about it all the time, the shelves of the grocery store are stocked with all kinds of new and improved, healthier, etc...  We have junk food in our house though.  I am disappointed with most cereal, bread and crackers.  The additives that are put in these foods are amazing.  I have not come to the point of justifying the cost of eating all natural, and it would cost a lot, but I need to do something more.  This passage is the story of creation.  In this perfect world, even the “beasts” are all given grass to eat.  I have reduced the amount of processed food I eat (a little).  As I read and meditated on this passage I realized I need to study this much more before I stop eating anything but vegetation.  I am encouraged to stop eating store bought cookies and ice cream though.  This will be a very gradual change for me but I will move to a healthier and more holistic diet.  What is one food item you could drop that is not on the natural food chain?  Are you willing to give one thing up to move closer to the Eden God wanted?

Lord,

You know my weaknesses and you know what is in my pantry.  Remind me of this verse and my desire to treat my body in a better way.  Give me strength to resist “junk” and replace it with good food.  I ask this in your name.  Amen.

Psalm 34:5 “Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.”

I love the picture this verse draws in my mind.  I see our faces lifted up to the rising sun, glowing with joy and warmth.  There is no shadow of sorrow or grief on anyone’s face and there is not a cloud of despair to be seen.  Someday this will be our reality.  The good news is we can have experiences like this even now, today.  As I take the time to let go of all my prayers of concern and petition, let go of all my plans for the day and thoughts that crowd my mind, it is then that I can truly look to Him.  When I have released all those things my vision becomes clear and I can see Him without anything getting in the way.  At those moments, I am certain that I am radiant because I am simply filled with His love and light and there is no greater joy to experience.  When we acknowledge and feast in the presence of the Lord, we glow; we radiate His love.  Take a few moments today to look to (not at) the sun and ponder the bright light and warmth it provides to us each day and then remember that it is nothing compared to the light and warmth God provides.  Hold that feeling in your heart and radiate it through your day to all those around you.

Lord,

Thank you for your presence, thank you for being there when we finally look to you.  Empty us of darkness and despair, sickness and fear and fill us with your light and love until we are truly radiant.  Lift us into your light and love so that we are beacons of You in this world of shadows.  Amen.