As I view the world around me I see dynamic snapshots of humanity: angry, tired, grief filled, despairing, surviving, unhealthy, diseased, greed driven, in pain, lonely, overworked, abused, confused. If I look out further I see violence, war, division, spiritual and physical pollution, discrimination, depravity.

Through the same lens I also see courage, faith, compassion, generosity, love, laughter, change. I see friendship, smiles, and daily acts of random kindness. I see people through out the world who are there offering help, creativity, artistry, and most importantly God’s light shining in the darkness. I have also witnessed heroism, selfless acts, taking care of the earth and its creatures, and people who inspire me to go further to help others.

It really truly is an amazing and complex world. When I see the essence of goodness around me I also see God at work helping us to thrive. For the negative space in the backdrop there is an answer. The choice daily is there. Who will we serve and how will we leave this earth for the next generation? Let us choose wisely the path that leads to life and love.

He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:8

We are rolling down the river just fine and then the wind picks, or a log has fallen down, or you hit a rock and capsize. The unexpected twists and turns along the journey may get our attention, but in the end make us more seasoned and wiser as we maneuver through the waters. We learn which routes are smoother, which side of the river to stay on and which channels to avoid. We also learn how to get back in our raft and how to use our oars to change directions. The river itself is beautiful, daunting, exhilarating and intoxicating. It is relentless.

God is our river of life. He is alive, bubbling and etching the landscape in front of us. The water is constant and is always changing. This is where we grow and learn his ways.

Transformation comes when the waves are pounding underneath our vessel and the wind is in our face, with the mist of the water caressing our entire being. We joyfully yell at the top of our lungs as we experience the elements and then reach the milder waves next to the coastline. We can then say “Wow what an incredible ride!”

Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls.
All your waves and your billows have swept over me. Psalm 42:7

As I drive into town I often see eagles high above me. Sometimes they are soaring, sometimes they are slowly moving with the wind, other times they are sitting on a tree resting or looking for a meal. These large birds are majestic, swift, strong and always watching. Eagles have a special place in my heart because their presence reminds me of the promises of God.

The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31 :

   but those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.
    They will mount up with wings like eagles.
    They will run, and not be weary.
    They will walk, and not faint.

And Psalm 91:4 says:

He will cover you with his feathers.
    Under his wings you will take refuge.
    His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.

God’s love is gently mirrored in the essence of his creation. We are surrounded by his wisdom and care when we are out in nature. Keep your eyes on the sky and be filled with wonder for our creator.

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Butterflies are a site to behold. I heard it said that when a cocoon transforms to a butterfly that everything of the cocoon disintegrates as it becomes new. So as we are renewed every day we become better and more beautiful as well. God is in the business of making all things new.

What slows you down from God’s intention for your life? How are you opening yourself up to the possibilities that have been buried in the very fabric of your existence. We all have purpose and God always has a plan.

When I meditate on the hugeness of God and the miracle of this life he gave I cannot help but believe that we are part of something vibrant, full of energy and brilliance. The decision needs to be made every day if we will step into it.

Behold, the former things have happened
    and I declare new things.
    I tell you about them before they come up.” Isaiah 42:9

Balance is something that takes daily mindfulness. It really is a basic foundation for health. If you for instance hold on to things subconsciously that need to be let go, it may raise its ugly head in your sleeping, eating, or general view on life. It may catch up to you in irritability, impatience, perfectionism, overworking or higher cortisol levels.

Many times I see people during my day that struggle with balance in either mind, body or spirit. There is an essence and rhythm to healthy living that can get missed in the busyness of the day. There are places to go and people to meet, messages to answer and lists to check off. In western civilization productivity reigns.

What happens when we pull back and reflect on where we are going and listen to the peaceful voice within us that says this is the way? Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He went off by himself to get rest. He spent time with God. He came back to his purpose renewed, energized and focused. God wants us to be transformed, joyful and refreshed. Offer yourself rest for the day, a smile in your heart and time spent with your creator to reach a new perspective. Think about his love and care. Thrive. ♥

Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

I remember a trip my parents had when they were heading south for the winter. They decided to take some side roads and just see where it took them. They actually found some amazing people and places to visit just by thinking outside the box on their trip.

This reminds me of our walk with God. If we logically plan every detail of our steps we could miss out on all God has planned for us. He may have a beautiful ocean or mountain in mind and we could just be stuck with the highway view.

God calls us to trust him and to practice having faith that he is in control of the unknown. His plans are beautiful, thriving, colorful and give us purpose. Trust the one who makes the road map and let him take you safely to your destination.

Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Friends are much like this lovely cup of tea. They warm your heart with stories of warrior wisdom, laughter, comfort, a listening ear, hugs and smiles that touch your soul at just the right time.

God uses our every day acts of kindness to cast light into the world. Faith, hope and love emanate brightly and shine the way on our journey with God.

May we be inspired to continue random acts of kindness as we move forward in our day living with intention. Celebrate the gift of life and make it beautiful.

I had this project I was putting off. I had 4 piano keys that were not working properly. I knew I had to take off my music books and figure out how to open the top of my piano. Time passed by. Occasionally I would look at my old piano like a long lost friend. I could not play to my full enjoyment without those keys working.

Today was the day I finally got it done! I had a pencil that was wedged in the hammers. The cool thing is the music sheet holder had not been set correctly and I learned how to fix that too. Now the piano sits dusted, fully functional, ready to be enjoyed.

If we do not take care of the small stuff we sometimes cannot function maximally. The small stuff is essential for us to make music in our lives. What are you putting off today? Consider this a tender reminder to walk vibrantly and completely into God’s plan.

Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, Ephesians 5:15

This big fella was sitting in my mint planter last Summer making himself at home. He reminded me of a sweet figurine I have in my living room that my Dad gave me after my Mom had passed on. My Dad collects frog figurines and he shared the first one he collected with me.

It is a sweet reminder that we ultimately need to trust God with everything we are doing and know that he is the one calling the shots. I think in our essence we can get this backwards if we are not proactively sensitive to his leading.

God has a way that is bright and beautiful. If we try to do things without his leadership we truly can mess everything up. Lol! So who are you trusting with your days? How often do you ask God to show you what to do with your day? Are you taking time to listen to the small still voice that says this is the way?

Forever relying on God is an intelligent way to live. Hold on though because it always is an adventure.

Can you think of a time in your life when you did not know what the outcome of a situation was going to be?? The mystery of the unknown can be daunting.

Scattered across our gem faceted memories, the consistency in each persons story is change. The story continues with lessons learned, healing, resolution and then we are off to the next experience.

God is the only constant in the kaleidoscope of life’s tapestry. His approach may not always make sense or seem upside down from our perspective. If we wait long enough though we can see how he turns everything around to make us better and more complete.

There is beauty in every season when we trust in God’s sovereignty.

being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 WEB