Faith - Proverbs 31

Check out @P31OBS's Tweet: https://twitter.com/P31OBS/status/808008950004191234?s=09

Restore my strength

Check out @P31OBS's Tweet: https://twitter.com/P31OBS/status/805096974722760704?s=09

In having my quiet time this morning with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our savior, the only One that loves Unconditionally and has unending Mercy and Grace to give...  I was enlightened and touched to read the following.

"the beautiful thing about mercy is that it is demonstrated to the offender as well as to the victim. When the offender realizes his or her wrong, God brings mercy, when the victim needs help to go on, God gives mercy."

At this point in my life, I don't know, nor will I ever know if my offenders have realized their actions were wrong,These offenders were people I was supposed to trust, obey, love unconditionally... I can only look to God as a victim that needs help to go on in life with peace in my heart and I do believe He is giving me that mercy and grace! Thank you Lord, for your unconditional love for me and the ongoing giving of your mercy and love! Touch my heart so that I can continue to forgive those that harm me, knowingly or unknowingly.

I continued to be touched by God's word as I continued my very well needed "quiet time" with Him... and I feel so led to share.

About Marriage

1 Corinthians 7

Now I will discuss the things you wrote me about. It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman. But because sexual sin is a danger, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should give his wife all that he owes her as a wife. And the wife should give her husband all that she owes him as her husband. The wife does not have full rights over her own body; her husband shares them. And the husband does not have full rights over his own body; his wife shares them. Do not refuse to give your bodies to each other, unless you both agree to stay away from sexual relations for a time so you can give your time to prayer. Then come together again so Satan cannot tempt you because of a lack of self-control. I say this to give you permission to stay away from sexual relations for a time. It is not a command to do so. I wish that everyone were like me, but each person has his own gift from God. One has one gift, another has another gift. Now for those who are not married and for the widows I say this: It is good for them to stay unmarried as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry. It is better to  marry than to burn with sexual desire. 

Now I give this command for the married people. (The command is not from me; it is from the Lord.) A wife should not leave her husband, But if she does leave, she must not marry again, or she should make up with her husband. Also the husband should not divorce his wife. 

For all the others I say this (I am saying this, not the Lord): If a Christian man has a wife who is not a believer, and she is happy to live with him he must not divorce her. And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer, and he is happy to live with her, she must not divorce him. The husband who is not a believer is made holy through his believing wife. And the wife who is not a believer is made holy through her believing husband. If this were not true, your children would not be clean, but now your children are holy. 

But if those who are not believers decide to leave, let them leave. When this happens, the Christian man or woman is free. But God called us to live in peace. Wife, you don't know; maybe you will save your husband. and husband, you don't know; maybe you will save your wife. 

Questions About Getting Married

Now I write about people who are not married. I have no command from the Lord about this; I give my opinion. But I can be trusted, because the Lord has shown my mercy. The present time is a time of trouble, so I think it is good for you to stay the way you are. If you have a wife, do not try to become free from her. If you are not married, do not try to find a wife. but if you decide to marry, you have not sinned. and if a girl who has never married decides to marry, she has not sinned. But hose who marry will have trouble in this life, and I want you to be free from trouble. 

Brothers and sisters, this is what I mean; We do not have much time left. So starting now, those who have wives should live as if they had no wives. those who are crying should live as if they were not crying. Those who are happy should live as if they were not happy. Those who buy things should live as if they own nothing. Those who use the things of the world should live as if they were not using them, because this world in it's present form will soon be gone. 

I want you to be free from worry. A man who is not married is busy with the Lord's work., trying to please the Lord. But a man who is married is busy with things of the world, trying to please his wife. He must think about two things - pleasing his wife and pleasing the Lord. A woman who is not married or a girl who has never married is busy with the Lord's work. She wants to be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is busy with things of the world, as to how she can please her husband. I am saying this to help you, not to limit you. But I want you to live in the right way to give yourselves fully to the Lord without concern for other things. 

If a man thinks he is not doing the right thing with the girl he is engaged to, if she is almost past the best age to marry and he feels he should marry her, he should do what he wants. They should get married. It is no sin. But if a man is sure in his mind that there is no need for marriage, and has his own desires under control, and has decided not to marry the one to whom he is engaged, he is doing the right thing. So the man who marries his girl does right, but the man who does not marry will do better. 

A woman must stay with her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry any man she wants, but she must marry in the Lord. the woman is happier if she does not marry again. This is my opinion, but I believe i also have God's Spirit. 

How To Use Christian Freedom

"We are allowed to do all things," but all things are not good for us to do. "We are allowed to do all things," but not all things help others grow stronger. Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also. 

Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Do not ask questions to see if it is meat you think is wrong to eat. You may eat it, "because the earth belongs to the lord, and everything in it." 


Those who are not believers may invite you to eat with them. If you want to go, eat anything that is put before you. Do not ask questions to see if you think it might be wrong to eat. But if anyone says to you, "That food was offered to idols," do not eat it. Do not eat it because of that person who told you and because eating it might be thought to be wrong. I don't mean you think it is wrong, but the other person might. But why, you ask, should my freedom be judged by someone else's  conscience? If I eat the meal with thankfulness, why am I criticized because of something for which I think God? 

The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God. Never do anything that might hurt other - Jews, Greeks, or God's church -- just as I, also, try to please everybody in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 

Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. 
~ 1 Corinthians 13:5 

Don't Keep a List of Wrongs 

Do you remember the story about the man who was bitten by the dog? When he learned the dog had rabies, he began making a list. The doctor told him there was no need to make a will, that the rabies could be cured. "Oh, I'm not making a will," he replied. "I'm making a list of all the people I want to bite." 

Couldn't we all make such a list? You've already learned, haven't you, that friends aren't always friendly? Neighbors aren't always neighborly? Some workers never work, and some bosses are always bossy? 

You've already learned, havent' you, that a promise made is not always a promise kept? Just because someone is called your dad, that doesn't mean we will act like your dad. Even though Even though they said "yes" on the altar, they may say "no" in the marriage. 

You've already learned, haven't you, that we tend to fight back? To bite back? To keep lists and snarl lips and growl at people we don't like? 

God wants your list. He inspired one servant to write, "love does not count up wrongs that have been done" (1 Corinthians 13:5). He wants us to leave the list at the cross. 

Not easy. 

"Just look what they did to me!" we defy and point to our hurts. 

"Just look what I did for you," he reminds and points to the cross. 

Paul said is this way: "If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you" ~ Corinthians 3:13). 

You and I are commanded--not urged, commanded--to keep no list of wrongs. 

Besides, do you really want to keep one? Do you really want to catalog all your mistreatment's? Do you really want to growl and snap your way through life? God doesn't want you to either. Give up your sins before they infect you and your bitterness before it incites you, and give God your anxiety before it inhibits you. Give God your anxious moments. 

QUESTION: Who do you need to forgive before bitterness consumes you? 


The passages that I have entered here on this day, have touched my heart very deeply. These are all things that have plagued me since 2013 and before. Many times I have wondered and tortured myself to the point of hospital stays from stress and grief. It took me years to learn how to give my worries, my lists over to God, but I finally came to that point in my life, that only God could handle all my grief, worries and stress on much better level than I ever could alone. He can do all things, better than I ever could in my lifetime. God can do more in a second than we can do for ourselves in a lifetime. I believe that, with all my heart and soul. I am witness of those words.

I have fought with the whole concept of marriage due to my three divorces. I was not perfect in all of them, but for the things that I did wrong, I have repented and asked for forgiveness, for the times that I was wronged, I have asked God to help me forgive. It's all I can keep doing...  pray and continue to ask God for His grace and mercy. All marriages ended because Satan fought hard to bring temptation to the marriages, drugs, alcohol, womanizing, affairs, secrets...  the list can go on and on, but I won't dwell anymore. All of this has been given to God. Now what I must focus on, is His guidance about my current relationship. I know that God brings people in to our lives for a reason, be it for me to help them grow or me to grow more than what I've come to grow. Either way, I have come to the conclusion that I am to carry my cross, whatever it is, from my past. I will not complain, I have cried enough to fill an ocean in my years since high school. But had it not been for my experiences, I would not be who I am today. I praise God through all of my journeys, my experiences. I am a stronger child of God, a better mother now than I have ever been and I pray that I can continue to live as such. Never to waiver from my path ever again. I remain strong, even at my weakest moments, I will stay focused, I will remain humble, and I will NEVER waiver from my path to God's presence. I can only pray for the same for my children and their children, my grandchildren. My beliefs have been "Spot On" in regards to marriage, but I was not blessed to keep the most important marriage, that with my children's father. I tried to work things out, but God led me away for a reason, he allowed the marriage to dissipate, as well as the remaining two. For the time that I prayed for a marriage to be saved, God was saving me from that specific marriage, I know that now and am blessed all more for it, you see... I survived domestic violence. No matter how you look at it, "I am a Survivor" and it was all through God's Grace and Mercy. For now and my future, I will live my life to serve others. Thank you Lord!

Sustaining the Weary

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. 

~Isaiah 50:4 

Lately, every day seems to get busier and busier than normal. I feel my day go rushing past me... I wake up, Praise God for another day, get ready for work, drive past all of God's many other children going through their daily routine(s). Get to work, put in my full day of assisting others, and if by chance being a witness, a light for someone else. I then rush home and begin my evening routine to make our house, "a home". I know I'll be ready to hit that pillow again, knowing that it will all start again the next day... but...  I go to sleep knowing this: 

I will go to sleep renewed and blessed. 

He brings me hope, healing and rest. 

Lord, make me an instrument and help me learn how I can instruct others in the ways of God. 

"Dear God, may we serve you by empowering others to persist in faith." 

Amen 

Verse of the day

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 

2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV 

We will always run into unfaithfulness in our lives, people with little to no faith, but the ONE and ONLY, our Lord, remains faithful ALWAYS. I know I can continue to look to Him for strength and protection as the bible tells us, He will protect us and strengthen uf from the evil one.

 

So many times, I let fear take over my faith...  that's when I open my bible, my YouVersion Bible App and any other bilbe study guidw I have at hand, to put me back on track. God has saved me from many wolve's in sheeps clothing, He IS Faithful to keep us from ALL evil. 

I praise You and Thank You Lord

Morning Prayer 

God, it's so exciting to realize that the hard 

circumstances in my life are subject to change. 

Help me to keep on trusting You as 

You work out Your good purposes in my life. 

In Jesus' Name. 

Amen 

Picture by S.Medina

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:18

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Morning Prayer

LORD

Be my Vision, 

my Hope, 

my Light, 

My Way. 

~ 

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Be Thou my best thought, by day or by night;

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Riches I heed not, nor vain empty praise,

Thou mine inheritance now and always.

Thou and Thou only, be first in my heart.

High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true Word,

I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord,

Thou my great Father, and through Thy true Son

Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one.

High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven’s joys, bright heaven’s sun!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all. 

Lisa Leonard - Be Thou My Vision Necklace 

Please check out Day Spring for Christian Cards, Inspirational Gifts, Home Decor and More 

Life's Journey from 1999 to 2014

Life has a way of taking us through journey's that we never imagined, fathomed or believed that we could possibly think we could experience, good, bad, sad, happy, trying, and some that may feel debilitating. I am here to say that I've experienced many... Nothing has been easy, God gives us choices in life, it's up to us to quiet our minds, pray and listen for God's guidance and pray we make the right choices and decisions in life. When it gets tough and the storms seem like they will never end, do we call it quits on life, bail out and find an easy way out or do we pray and "stick it out"? "WWJD" comes to mind, He didn't bail out, He didn't say, "I Quit"... He endured the trials laid before him, the trials that He was thrown in to...

Since moving to Houston, I hoped for new beginnings, a new life, and then society pressures were allowed to seep in to my marriage and life. The year 2000 was when my thoughts of a life as a wife and mother completely changed... I made some bad choices in 2000, so much so that they not only affected my life, but the lives of all those that I love dearly. My family, my children and anyone that shared their lives with me in one way or another.The choices I made, led me down a dark road, through out those dark times, I was still able to feel that tug at my heart... that tug at my arm... The soft whisper in my ear... "This way my child" but I kept on walking in what I was so fooled to believe was the way to live life. But you see... the timing had already caused so much damage to my children and loved ones. I finally learned to quiet myself and listen closely for His Whispers... The one thing I learned though, is that, God does not want us living with shame or regrets.

"The Bible teaches us that once we confess our sins, accept Christ’s sacrifice for our sins on the cross on our behalf, and become children of God, we are cleansed from all our unrighteousness"(Colossians 1:15-22)

Read more: "What does the Bible say about shame and regret?"

I finally crawled out of that darkness and came to see the light, brighter than I could ever imagine. Everything was so clear and beautiful, Here With Me by MercyMe fits that moment so well, but yet, I still felt shattered from all those years of living my life for "me". I listened closely, made sure to ask Him for forgiveness and worked diligently to make amends and make peace with those lives that all my choices affected.

I still remember driving down the road one day, I was in tears... so lost, so confused, but still holding on with all the knowledge and faith, that God was taking very good care of me. I had made the right choice, but I was scared. I couldn't breath, the tears kept streaming down. This is where I cried out the words... "Jesus Take The Wheel" I remember that day so vividly, driving down the streets of Houston, Tx, listening to KSBJ. Wondering "What now Lord? You are in control, I can't do this anymore by myself. Forgive me!!"

He had me at that point... my life turned around for the better. 2005 and on had brighter days ahead, it was going to be an uphill battle, but I knew that God was with me and He would be carrying me. I was devoting more of my time to prayer, I was new to bible studies, back in church. Three years go by and I remarried... things were looking so bright, trials were still experienced, but they were nothing God couldn't handle, besides... I was out of the darkness that I had been crawling through previously and I was living a life that God was calling me to live. I was saved, in more ways than one... I can not fix some of the damages that occurred during those years prior, but I knew that through God alone, He could bring peace to me and all who were affected by my choices. Little did I know that my bright days would come again to a stormy end... I was shattered because I was living my life according to God's will. God was there though, He told me, I survived worse, I knew that this time, I could walk away with more confidence and less fear, because God was still with me. He had made me a stronger woman, prepared me for the upcoming storm that I did not even foresee in 2013.

It will be two years in March since moving out on my own... I have learned many things since then and continue to learn. God is continuing to work in my life... He is polishing this rock in to a GEM. I believe it... He has brought people in to my life that I never would imagine and taken others that I never thought would have been taken, but in the process of all these new people in my life and those removed from my life, I'm still learning more and more about myself. One thing I can say is that because of my relationships and how they ended, I no longer trust anyone in my life for the exception of God and my family. I do not allow anyone else to come in to my life or heart like I use to. I don't love like I use to either... I am a work in progress, but I refuse to allow a person to shatter my life completely because of their wrong doings, their flaws, their indiscretions... I no longer depend on anyone on this earth to make my life complete, I only depend on God now. I lean only on HIM... I do believe that, THIS was the lesson for me. No one but God alone can make me happy, then the love of my family. I am a work in progress! Praise God!!

So to those people that were in my life, that were trusted with my whole life and things failed, THANK YOU... for making me who I am today. May God work in you as He has worked continuously in me... To those in my life now, all I ask is for patience while God continues to work on me.

I AM GOD'S CHILD...

In every situation, there are always two stories—the story you see and the story God sees.

Sometimes life seems to be taking us down a huge detour and everything looks like it's not going our way. In those situations, our life and our story seems to be a disaster.

This is exactly what happened to Joseph, whose story is found in Genesis 37-50. Joseph's brothers jealously hated him and sold him into slavery. Joseph was wrongfully put in prison for raping Potifer's wife, when really he refused to compromise his integrity by sleeping with her. Then, Joseph helped get the chief cupbearer out of jail; however, when the cupbearer had an opportunity to return the favor and get Joseph out of jail, the man forgot about Joseph. Joseph ended up spending thirteen years in jail for something he didn't do.
At this point Joseph's story was going haywire, but God's story was right on track. That's because God had an amazing plan for Joseph's life; God was going to use Joseph to save Egypt and the surrounding lands for seven years of devastating famine. What looked to Joseph like a huge detour was really a great plan of God to provide food for countless people, including the very brothers that had sold Joseph into slavery.

At the end of this, Joseph realized that God had a bigger plan for his life, and after his brothers come to him for food, he tells them: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).

All along, God's story was right on track.

This same principle is also true in the life of Jesus. To the disciples, it looked as those Jesus would be a great king who would rule Israel and return the nation to greatness. They hailed him as a great leader. So, when Jesus was being crucified, the story they saw looked like a major train wreck—this great leader whom they had followed for the past three years was suddenly dead. However, God's story was at its peak—God was in the process of connecting humanity to himself.

There's what you see and what God sees.

When your life seems to be a major disaster; know that God has bigger plans to use your life for great things. The story you see may not reflect the long-term story God has planned. Therefore, trust God, knowing that he works for good in all circumstances (Romans 8:28).

A PRAYER FOR GUIDANCE

Things have been going a bit smoother since my surgery, I'm recovering well, aside from my worries of the fluid that is not being absorbed by my body. The swelling can become rather uncomfortable, bearable, but at times, uncomfortabe. I can only praise God for the healing that He has bestowed upon me.

Amidst all of my recovery, I stood strong in praying for my children and the whole family.

This prayer, should help you get through some rough times when you can't seem to see any light ahead or calm seas. Just know in your heart, that you have been extremely blessed and he has already carried you through some of the roughest storms in your life.

If all you see are your storms in life, take a minute to quiet your heart and thoughts... just long enough to say this prayer...

Heavenly Father,
send your Holy Spirit upon us, your people.
Fill our mind and hearts with the fire of your love.
In the mystery of your divine plan,
give us vision to seek your truth,
and grant us the strength and courage to lovingly accept your will.

Give us guidance in the decisions we must make,
so that in all we do,
we do it for the honor and glory of your name.

Grant that the work we do now in this world
will ensure the presence of your reign on earth,
until you come in glory.

Help us to see that what we must build
is not just brick and stone,
but love, compassion, and understanding among all people.
We are building your holy city.

In your love, hear our prayer for vision and guidance,
which we make in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son,
our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Daily Bible Verse

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 57:10 (New International Version)

Daily Bible Verse

W hen God takes something from your grasp; He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.

Concentrate on this sentence.....

'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

Romans 8:28 (New International Version)

Releasing My Child into God's Hands

Yesterday, about 3:30 pm, I received a call from my oldest son, I was still at work and was right in the middle of assisting one of our resident Psychiatrists with some urgent computer needs. I told my son that I would call him back as I could not speak to him at that moment. Time went by, and I'm still assisting the resident Psychiatrist at least half an hour, and at 4:10, I received a text message from my son that he was being taken to the hospital for stitches.




Well, being a mother, I panicked and my heart dropped! Understand too that this is my 26 year old son, and is very well known for skateboarding. I knew that his brother and a friend were visiting him in Austin and somehow I just knew that it had to be a related injury to skateboarding or his work, (I was leaning more towards the skateboarding though). Needless to say, I had to call him immediately and find out the details to his trip to the hospital and the seriousness of his injuries.




My son kept trying to tell me he was OK, while at the same time, explaining to me that as he was coming down a half pipe, he lost his balance and fell face first, shattering his right prescription eyeglass lens, which resulted in cutting him up by his eyebrow, scrapes around his face, bruises I'm sure as well. I was cringing and feeling, literally, his pain. I was being a "mommy"... My son finally had to pass the phone to his friend so that he could ease my worries. Needless to say, I did have a few words with God at that moment, but I went home that evening and lifted my children in prayer.



Lord, I come to You in Jesus' name and give my three children to You. I'm convinced that You alone know what is best for them.

You alone know what they need, I release them to You to care for and protect, and I commit myself to pray for everything concerning them that I can think of or that You put upon my heart.

Teach me how to pray and guide me in what to pray about. help me not to impose my own will when I'm praying for them, but rather enable me to pray that Your will be done in their life. Thank You that I can partner with You in raising them and that I don't have to do it alone.

A FAITH THAT BREATHES...

Life. It’s filled with wonder and discovery, and it’s defined by change – as you probably know all too well. Yet for most women, change is both a comfort and a curse.

As we begin our journey into womanhood, we’re often unsure of who we’ll become, how we’ll look, what paths we’ll follow. Yet somewhere between youth and maturity, we begin to realize that life is full of uncertainty. Who will I become today, tomorrow, next week—next year?

A FAITH THAT BREATHES

…knows that if our security is in the world, we’re in trouble. The wolrd will always change, and the things we hold so tightly today may fall out of our grasp tomorrow.

…is confident that the Lord remains the same—yesterday, today, tomorrow, forever! He promises to be our guide, our stability, our hope.

…welcomes the changes that God sends our way. Strive to welcome change with open arms. Embrace it as the priceless gift that it is. Learn to stand hand in hand with Jesus and declare, “BRING IT ON!”

A thought for the day

My Troubles have a purpose, this pain is not in vain.

A Beginning To a New Me

My awakening had started some drastic changes in my life; how I saw things, how I interpreted things, how I saw other people in my current life, my past and those to come in to my life.

One of the things I realized after my two failed marriages was that, no one was going to walk up to me and say here; let me take care of you. I had to break the co-dependency. It was up to me, solely me, with the help of God. All my life, I have depended on others; to take care of me and my children, to take care of the bills, to take care of the cars, the house (honey-do’s), the list goes on. This was more than an awakening for me. This started a whole new revolution for me, a whole new world, a whole new life, but most importantly… a whole new “me”.

There is actually life after divorce and broken relationships, even from someone that could be so controlling and someone that laid much insecurity in my life. Where to begin???

I really didn’t know where to start. I had to deal with being really hurt, plus figuring out the single life, plus dealing with being alone. My kids are all grown up and out of the house. It was tough, but very well worth the struggles, tears, pain and tribulations, and there was no way around it.

First off, I had to get myself connected with some real good people, people that would understand to some extent my struggle and my hurt.

Secondly, I needed to learn whatever lessons there were in these failed marriages to help me prepare for falling in love again.

I have always lived on faith and trust, always. Faith has always played a big part of my life, but I had never placed all my trust in Gods’ hands, not completely that is, until now.

One of the ways God works is though other people. Solomon Said, “Two are better than one. …If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Some of these people will just show up in your life, sent at just the right time. Others you have to seek out. They can range from professionals to a neighbor or friend.

One of my next posts will be a listing of important qualities to look for as you select your support team.

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And lo, no one was there.
~Author Unknown

Daddy Is Driving

*I received this in an email today, and after reading it, all I could do was smile and nod my head... and share...

A speaker (Dr. Wan) once shared his experience:

While his family and he were in Europe, there was once that they needed to drive 3 days continuously, day and night, to get to Germany. So, they all got into the car -- he, his wife, and his 3 years old daughter.

His little daughter has never traveled at night before. She was scared the first night in the car, with deep darkness outside.

"Where are we going, Daddy?"

"To your uncle's house, in Germany."

"Have you been to his house before?"

"No."

"Then, do you know the way?"

"Maybe, we can read the map."

After a short pause she asked, "Do you know how to read the map?"

"Yes, we will get there safely."

After another pause she asked, "Where are we going to eat if we get hungry before arriving?"

"We can stop by restaurants if we are hungry."

"Do you know if there are restaurants on the way?"

"Yes, there are."

"Do you know where?"

"No, but we will be able to find some."

The same dialogue repeated a few times within the first night, and also the second night. But on the third night, his daughter was quiet.

The speaker thought that she might have fallen asleep, but when he looked into the mirror, he saw that she was awake and was just looking around calmly. He couldn't help wondering why she was not asking the questions anymore --

"Dear, do you know where we are going?"

"Germany, Uncle's house."

"Do you know how we are getting there?"

"No."

"Then why aren't you asking anymore?"

"Because Daddy is driving."

Because Daddy is driving. This answer from a 3 years' old girl has then become the strength and help for this speaker for the many years follow whenever he has questions and fears on his journey with the Lord.

Yes, our Father is driving. We may know the destination (and sometimes we may just know it like the little girl -- "Germany", without understanding where or what it really is).

We do not know the way, we do not know how to read the map, we do not know if we can find restaurants along the way. But the little girl knew the most important thing -- Daddy is driving -- and so she is safe and secure. She knows that her Daddy will provide all that she needs.

Do you know your Daddy, the Great Shepherd, is driving today? What are your behavior and response as a passenger, His child?

You may have asked many questions before, but can you like the little girl, starts to realize the most important focus should be "Daddy is driving?"

* I remember many days and months, where I found myself asking tons and tons of questions, wanting answers. Now I find myself being at peace and calm because I finally realized that "He is driving, I don't know the destination, but I know I am safe...

FAITH:

Belief, trust (Hab. 2:4: Mark 11:22). Faith in Jesus Christ is essential for salvation (Eph.2:8-10). Faith is always active: It is a commitment of both mind and heart.

A Faith Bigger Than Fear…

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.

John 14:1-2 NIV

Because we are imperfect human beings, we worry. Even though we are Christians who have been given the assurance of salvation – even though we are Christians who have received the promise of God’s love and protection – we find ourselves fretting over the countless details of everyday life. Jesus understood our concerns when He spoke the reassuring words found in Matthew 6: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…”

As you consider the promises of Jesus, remember that God still sits in His heaven and you are His beloved child. Then, perhaps, you will worry a little less and trust God a little more, and that’s as it should be because God is trustworthy… and you are protected.

A Thought to Jump Start Your Day

Worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil.

E. Stanley Jones

Faith

1781

MarbleSanta Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi, Florence