a different way

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

It's graduation time; and no matter what the graduation level is, ceremonies and events are different. Unable to proceed with the "normal" festivities, we have found new ways to celebrate... zoom gatherings, drive-bys, yard signs, billboards, banners, streaming events and more.

While blindsided by the unexpected changes, trusting and knowing God is still in control has helped us accept our current situation and adjust.  His Word also brings sweet assurance that His plans for us will not be thwarted.  We can trust His purpose for our life will be fulfilled  because of His unending love for us. With that promise alone, we have every reason to celebrate each moment and milestone in our life with confidence and joy.

Father, thank You for loving us.  You know us by name and have a place and plan for each of us. You have engraved us on the palms of Your Hands.  Because we are Your treasured possessions and precious in Your sight, we can sing praises, dance and celebrate on special occasions even if our audience has been reduced to just One... because You are enough.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

who builds you up?

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

The pandemic has separated us for weeks.  This is a bittersweet week as we gather at school for final goodbyes and send offs to our students.  I am sad for the goodbyes this week but am so thankful to be around and supported by friends and co-workers who understand and feel like i do.  Together we can smile and be prayerful for brighter days. 

Father, thank You for Jesus, my Savior, and thank you for earth angels who support, encourage and build us up during hardships, trials and sadness.  Thank You...

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

listen... He's got us

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

News about changes in life can be alarming and cause discomfort.  Whether it's a change in personnel, policy, plans or place, disruptions for most of us are difficult.  Change can instigate a raging ocean of emotions... hurt, fear, grief, guilt, uncertainty, anger, panic, shock, confusion.

So how do we properly channel change?  Through God.

In everything, including changes, God is still in control.  He is aware and will take care of all things in His perfect way.  How He plans to work through and with the changes in our life calls for our complete trust in Him.  The God that holds this world together, holds each of us individually too.

He's got us.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,
veneal

wrapping up

"Do you not know?  Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall... 

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." Isaiah 40:28-31

Believe it or not, the end of school is here.

Even though it is far different from any ending we've ever had, it is here.  Yet, like all other year ends, there is much to do to wrap up...

packing up, putting up, cleaning out, fixing up, collecting in and passing out...

The past 9 nine weeks have felt more like living in the twilight zone than anything else.

So whether similar or drastically different, there is but one thing i know to do to survive these final days --

Praying to the One who can refill, restore, renew, redirect and refresh.

Thank You, Father.  We need you today, tomorrow and everyday of our life.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

a Mighty Word ~ rest

Jesus said...
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

The end of the school year is always hectic, but this year has been like no other. Forging through foreign and unexpected waters, has been challenging and  tiring.  What i need most, i trust i can gain through a  long weekend... REST, a mental break.  And i know exactly where to find it.

Thank You, Father, for being The Place i can always turn for refreshment, restoration and renewal.  You are my resting Place.

When we rest at His feet, He restores us.

Thank You, Father.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

false security

"I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken." Psalm 16:8

 

Besides a mask, i felt wearing gloves was also necessary for my safety, as well as, for others.  I still am a believer of the mask, but the gloves, i'm not so sure. Even though you are avoiding direct skin contact with items or people when wearing gloves, there's a false sense of protection.  Those nasty germs are quick to spread to the glove and transfer to whatever comes its way. Like, BANG! got 'cha. I saw a cross contamination video with nurse Molly and felt like i was watching a horror movie.

Whenever gloves come into contact with germs, they immediately stick to to the gloves and spread to everything else touched.  See the demonstrated below with the syrup representing germs.

From the book, to my cup, to paper, my hand, to doorknobs, keys, light switches... the only place the glove protected was the skin underneath the glove.  Hand washing and hand sanitizer is definitely a needed and wise choice in destroying and preventing the spread of germs. Be mindful of what/where you trust for safety.

Father, i pray you lead, guide and protect me in these questionable days.  No matter what the day holds or what plans i have, i need You to keep You as my first line of defense and my primary layer of protection.  

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

reign on

"But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You." Psalm 5:11

The weather is very wet, gray and unpleasant. Whether it's showers, torrential downpours, storms, floods, gusty winds, thunder and lightening, shelter is required from the elements.  As a child of God, no matter what our day holds, we are under the umbrella of God's love and assured of His complete protection.  With Him, we have nothing to fear.

Father, through it all, we are just going to hold tightly onto You.  In Your perfect time and ways, i know our hearts will bloom with joy and peace. 

Singing in the rain is possible, thanks to God. He reigns, so we can sing.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

be safe... be still and trust

"Be still and know I am God." Psalm 46:10

With deer moving to town over the past few years, i've enjoyed watching them roam our neighborhood.  But Saturday, we encountered a startling surprise.  A wobbly fawn, surely no more than  a few hours old, was across the street all alone, looking and acting more like a calm pet.

Apparently startled by dogs hours earlier, the mother had leapt away.  Not sure what to do, several of us stood by watching.  The fawn had no interest in leaving.  We tried contacting wildlife authorities, no luck.  Next, we googled "what to do with a stray fawn" and got useful information. 

Did you know when the mother deer senses danger, she "parks" her fawn.  Seriously, she puts them in a spot and tells them not to move.  And this is exactly what we witnessed.  The fawn, amazingly calm, soon curled up under a shrub, waiting for her mother to return.  And she did.  Now what kind of faith is that?? Little Bambi, less than a day old, exhibited faith i (at a much older age) and others are still striving to obtain.

Father, i want Bambi's kind of faith!  During this season of chaos and confusion, i hear You (as well as, others) telling us to "park".  Being still with You is the wisest decision we can make. Help me to stay parked and to wait for You and Your provisions for me.  I trust increased faith in You will get me safely where i need to be at the right time.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

gone... hatched and snatched

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." Psalm 91:4

For weeks we watched a pair of birds build a home in the fern on our porch.  Their babies hatched, and the parents do what parents do for their children... made them a good home, kept careful watch over them, fed them nutritious meals plus tasty treats, and cooed sweet lullabies for their peaceful sleep.

But yesterday morning, it looked like a war zone hit our porch.  Torn sections of fern and leaves everywhere, but the worst part, lots of little feathers.  I quickly checked the bird nest... completely empty.  Not quite ready to fly, we could only suspect they were snatched by a lurking predator. Clearly, there had been a fight for life.  Seeing the despair of the parent birds above, i felt their agonizing pain. Birds, like most parents, get quite upset when their family nest is disturbed.  Sometimes no matter how carefully a parent guides and protects, evil strikes and hearts are broken.

Snatched dreams, snatched hope, snatched plans, snatched celebrations... the unexpected can happen in an instant at any stage of our life.  Is anywhere safe? How do you survive the hardships?  Our truest protection is in the Arms of our Father.  When troubles surface, i can think of no other place i'd rather be.  How about you?

"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance." Psalm 32:7

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

from my house to yours

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Here's looking at you, friend, and wishing you a weekend filled with peace, joy and smiles.

Face it, we are loved by God and others.  May we count our blessings first.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

weed or flower?

"When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one as well as the other." Ecclesiastes 7:14

What kind of plant is this? A weed or a flower?

Depending on our attitude and outlook... it can be considered either.

Same can be said about these:
luck  -- good or bad
weather  -- stormy or rainy
timing  -- beginning or ending
age -- independent or dependent

situation --  difficult or opportunity 

health -- strong or weak

Father, everything comes from You. As we trust You work all things to the good who love You, may we see the promise of hope in all things. May we see with Your Eyes and trust Your Plan.

So, are you enJOYing a field of weeds or flowers?

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

mixed signals

"Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

Open, close

go out, stay in

cover, uncover

come closer, move away

gather, separate

... these days are filled with confusing and conflicting directions.  Don't you wish you knew how to choose correctly and wisely?  I sure do.

When your leaders tell you one thing, your heart tells you another, and every other fiber of your being says another, pray and listen to God for answers and His peace.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

He started it

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Love reigns down.

What He started, may we continue.

Let's flood the lands with love.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

skin color or heart?

"But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

In light of recent events, i have searched the Bible all weekend, regarding what God says about skin color... its importance or significance, what color is superior or more desirable or holier. It appears to me, God's view on the color of our skin or anything regarding our outward appearance is IT DOES NOT MATTER; He has no interest in our outward differences.  

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

"So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality..." Acts 10:24

"And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth..." Acts 17:26

What matters to God is our heart.  Period.
If you find anything different, let me know.

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24

Prayers for all who are subjected to injustice, hatred or discrimination due to the color of their skin. Prayers for all with closed-minded hearts and in need of the Physician. Knowing anyone lives with fears of prejudices is sickening. It makes me want to peel off my white skin and be colorless.  Until we are more like Jesus seeing, the tears will not slow down. Oh, how He must cry over the ignorance, arrogance and pride in our lands.  Father, help us to see others with Your Eyes, so You may bring healing in our hurting lands.


"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb." Revelations 7:9

we are ALL loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

a balancing act

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” John 8:12

One minute i'm letting the light shine through, and the next i'm snuffing it out. After writing notes to some friends, i found my family in sudden need of a thermometer. Using the one in my cabinet, there was no beep after five long minutes.  I checked the reading... 97.2.  I don't think so.  I zipped to our local drug store and was shocked to find empty racks.  I quickly went to the store across the street... same story. They assured me a shipment was coming next week. Well, that's good and well, but i needed it now. Sensing my panic rising, they wisely advised me to call around to find one.  After 4 attempts, i located one. Dashing to the store, i spotted a clerk at the desk and told him i was there for the thermometer. He looked from me to another clerk, and they concurred they had none.  WHAT?  I about jumped over the counter! Short of breath, i explained we had just talked, and he was suppose to hold one for me. He didn't give in, and i was one step from hysterics.

I lost all sense of calmness as i demanded from him, " IS THIS NOT WXY DRUG STORE ON OAK STREET!?

"Umm, no ma'am, this is CBA Drug on Oak Street."

Silence... and a very dark moment for me.

"oh.  So sorry, sir."  I crawled out and around the corner to the correct store holding my thermometer.

  

The struggles to survive our daily challenges are real. Trying to balance our emotions during this difficult season is hard. In desperate times, people do desperate and dumb things.  

As we go forward with life, be mindful we are not alone in two respects:

*others are also battling this emotional roller coaster, and need the light of our positive, calm support 

*God is by our side, and in our weak, dark moments, helping us forge through our walls of despair and pain  

 

Father, as i teeter between light and dark moments, i pray for You to pull me back closer to You.  May Your Light be my guide, my peace, my strength, my hope, my joy, my all.  And may Your light shining through me be strong enough to help others replace the darkness of their pain, difficulties and fear with the hope, life and joy we have by following the Light instead. 

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

magical lights

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

It was a magical night of luminaries burning bravely in our neighborhood and surrounding ones celebrating our Everyday Heroes.  Charlie, a special young man and friend, found a way for us to show our appreciation for these hard working group of nurses, doctors, first responders, law enforcers,  pharmacists, delivery/postal workers, grocery workers, school bus drivers, cafeteria workers, counselors, technicians and so many more on the front line during the COVID-19 crisis. With the help of his family and friends rallying behind him, a beautiful, safe night was enjoyed by all.

With all the tension, disagreements and confusion regarding what the correct actions/rules should be, a night of positive unity was joyful and uplifting.  I was thankful to have an opportunity just to focus on the positive aspects and to humbly show thanks by lighting up the night with luminaries and writing notes of thanks to those sacrificing their lives for our safety... a group of selfless, dedicated people risking it all for us.

       
 

Risking it all for us... reminds me of another Servant.  One who sacrificed His life, so we may have eternal life.  He did it not for the applause, but for the cause... unconditional love from our Father who wants all to come to know Him and His saving grace.  

Father, thank You for Jesus and our angels here on Earth. I am so grateful for their willingness to care, love and nurse our hurting world back to a better place. I am not that brave, but my heart is full of gratitude and respect for those who are.  

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

is there no end?

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

There's another storm crashing outside... and inside. When will it stop, or at least slow down?

Is God really working all things to the good to those who love Him?

He says so, and i must believe Him... 

Father, increase my faith. You and You alone are Truth and Goodness, Mercy and Grace, Hope and Refreshment, Restoration and Life. In all our mistakes, waywardness and independence, You still love us enough not to leave us alone. Sometimes we cause the storm, sometimes You bring it to us, and sometimes it just happens.  But whatever the case, we know when the storm clears and even in the midst of its raging hours, You still reign. Help us hold on to the Truth, to believe and to share Your Light.   
 
Today we are lifting up special prayers to You for all facing physical, mental, emotional and economic storms due to COVID-19.  May their hearts by flooded with Your peace, strength and comfort in the hours/days ahead.

And, we thank You, amen.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal 

weather alert... again

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; 

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. 
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..." Isaiah 43:2-3 

Relentless uncertainty -- best describes the days and weather of late.  For weeks on end, all we know for sure is some type of storm will pass through our day... anything from drenching rains, hail, tornadoes, deafening thunder and bold lightening, a soft sprinkling of rain through sunshine, to storms deep within our souls and hearts.  The only question is which weather pattern will permeate our path today.  

Our safest and best protection, no matter what level of storm we're facing, is God.  Our relationship with Him enables us to rest under His Shield of faithfulness and in His Arms of unconditional love.  Being a believer doesn't stop the storms, but provides us the power, guidance and strength to go through them -- with Him.  Thanks be to God!

To be sure there's another storm on the horizon.  Are you ready for it?  God is; and He will see us through it.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live like we believe it,

veneal

on a roll...

"May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge.” Ruth 2:12

There was an unexpected package at my door.  With much curiosity, i ripped it open to find a beautiful, unique painting.  Initially, they looked like bluebirds, either with a big smile or with duck-like beaks, sitting under an unique and captivating moon. Before reading on, what do you see?

When i thanked my cousin for the gift, she explained how this friend of hers paints birds for big events, like the flood, eclipse and now the quarantine.  Part of the proceeds are donated to a local charity.  She continued telling me it took her a while to realize that it was a roll of toilet paper in the background. What?!?  The TP was TP, Totally Perfect, for our current state of affairs!  Then she went on to say how cute the birds were wearing masks!  Her artist friend had found a creative way to bring something beautiful out of a difficult time, while also helping others.

There is no disguising the fact we are dealing with unusual, questionable circumstances.  Even though we are concerned about what the future holds, we have an opportunity to support, help and encourage others now. 

Father, we are grateful to know You have not been caught off guard by this or any event. Give us wings to fly in deeper faith and obedience with You. May we trust how Your perfect plan includes bringing us and others into a closer relationship and dependence on You.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

somewhere over the rainbow (repeated)

 “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” Lamentations 3:21-26

While on a morning walk, i spotted a neighbor and her children at their picnic table creating artwork. We waved and chatted. I told them about rainbows popping up in windows around the world as a reminder of God's promises and love for us.  When possible, i wanted to find a rainbow to place in one of my windows.

A week later, an unexpected rat-a-tat-tat at my door brought a sweet surprise.  My little-T friend, not only heard my wish, but painted me a beautiful rainbow... one full of love and hope. It's exactly what i and most of the world need now.  And if you look closely, you can even spot a cloud heart. 



His picture is actually a twice-as-nice one. The back of the framed picture is just as special.  It's covered in more hearts and love yous. So whether going or coming in my house, or going about inside of my house, i have reason to smile and be thankful. 


Like you, i am missing family visits - smiles from school - HUGS from everybody - meals with friends - casual shopping and outings. But i am reminded by little-T's special rainbow, storms do end and rainbows show up. We have God's promise He has not forgotten nor neglected us.

As God listens to our prayers, may we listen to the needs of others.  We have no idea what impact even a small act of kindness might have on another.

Somewhere over the rainbow,
there there are sunnier days ahead.
I'm trusting God.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal

where are they?

"The LORD will guard your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:8

Due to COVID-19, classes at school abruptly ended on March 23.  We left anticipating a 2, or maybe 3, week break. To ensure students kept reading, we relaxed our library checkout restrictions and checked out an unprecedented number of books to parents/students. But with students not returning to school this year, we found ourselves at a high risk of losing many books. Records show the longer a book is out, the greater the chance it will go MIA. 

So, as Keeper-of-the-Books, we quickly devised a revised check-in plan.  It included set days/hours for a book drive-up and drop-off time; books collected were placed in quarantined for a week; after they cleared quarantine, a sanitizing bath removed any remaining "germs"; once deemed "clean and clear", books were checked back into our system and finally nestled safely back home on their appropriate shelf.  It's a process, but worth it... we love our collection of books for students and teachers and do our best to keep them in circulation.

As the library staff tracks the coming and going of each book, I am reminded God tracks the coming and going of each of us.  Our tracking system is pretty good, but God's is perfect. He never misses, misplaces, or mismanages who He oversees.  

Thank You, Father, for watching and guarding our comings and goings.  Thank You for always meeting us where we are and getting us safely back to where we belong.  May we find rest and peace in trusting Your refining process in our life, even if it requires some quarantine time alone and some cleaning up.  We want to be shining vessels for sharing Your Goodness.

we are loved and chosen by God,
may we live like we believe it,
veneal