are you normal?

"The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." Psalm 145:9

Discrimination... you can see the hurt of it on many faces.  Faces of color, lifestyle, physical, mental or emotion differences. They all painfully know how it feels to be ridiculed, mistreated or ignored daily by the so called normal. Being "normal" puts us in a dangerous position of passing judgement on others.  Is it right to judge people different from what we view as normal or acceptable? We don't choose our makeup; we are all created by God.  The psalmist wrote --

For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

 My frame was not hidden from you

    when I was made in the secret place,

    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

The psalmist goes on to say --
Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.

God who created and knows us completely... loves us without barriers and prejudices.  Sometimes i wonder if He allowed differences to separate the sheep from the wolves... to show the destruction of prejudice... to shame pride...  to grow compassion... to smack the face of arrogance... to test our following of His second greatest commandment -- love your neighbor as yourself.  

I think God wants to flip the tables.  I think He wants the normal to feel uncomfortable enough to change their heart and hurtful ways.  To be like Jesus is to love like Jesus.  And He loved all. 

Father, i don't want to be normal; i want to be more like You.  Remove any barriers i have to your people, so i can love them all like You.  Only You can judge... You alone know our hearts.

have a love-filled day!

veneal

i'm sorry... BUT

"yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended... Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret..." 2 Corinthians 7:10

It's just three letters, but it possesses the power of an atom bomb. When detonated, it kills an apology.  But, I didn't like... but, you don't understand... but, I was hurting... but, you made me mad... but, but but.  The but wants to justify the harm.  It's like saying, I'm sorry, but not really.

Father, when I have afflicted someone and need to apologize, I want it to be sincere.  It's embarrassing to make mistakes or hurt someone, but it happens.  Accepting responsibility of our actions is needed.  Remove my pride and let true sorrow be present instead.  Only then does healing begin for all.

have a peace-filled day!
veneal

tunnel vision

"My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only He will release my feet from the snare." Psalm 25:15

My mind was racing.  I was concerned about the health of family members, decisions my children were making, actions taken by my husband's employer, economic down turns.  The questions and concerns were exhausting.  And there was nothing i could do.  Or, so i thought.

Looking down on my canna lilies, i was reminded what i needed -- tunnel vision. 

The stamen nestled down deep in the wrap of the flower was secure and protected... i wanted to feel like that too. My head was filled with issues i had no control over, yet they were controlling and crippling me. I needed tunnel vision.  I needed to focus on God, and look to Him for guidance, strength and peace in my life.

Father, i want to be forever wrapped in Your Loving Arms.  I know it won't stop storms or hardships from coming into my life, but Your protection is perfect. You know exactly what is needed to grow and strengthen us in You.  Let my eyes and trust be on You always.

have a trust-filled day!

veneal

no explanation needed

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5  

I don't understand it, but i absolutely love it.  My hydrangea plant has multicolored flowers all over it. From a deep, rich violet to pale pink, the assortment is beautiful... and they all stem from a single plant.   How can one plant have so many colors?

I'm sure there is a scientific reason for the multicolored flowers, but it doesn't matter to me.  I rather just enjoy the beauty of it.

Father, i want to have that same attitude with You.  One of not needing to understand Your love for me, but just accepting it. From You, our one God, flow multiple blessings everyday.  You are actively aware and  involved in each and every detail of my life and the lives of all your children. How can this be?! I can't fathom such greatness.  I want to live with a heart full of joy for You, so others can enjoy Your beauty too.

Not everything in life can be explained... sometimes, we just need to say thanks.

Thank You, Father.


have a joy-filled day!
veneal

the painful lie

"Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.  You will increase my honor and comfort me once again." Psalm 71:20-21

She had lost her mother, and i wanted to comfort her, but i couldn't tell her time heals.  Anyone who has lost a loved one, or experienced a tragedy, know these words alone are a lie. Time on it's own, can be more harmful and destructive than healing.  How we spend our time determines the healing we receive.

Through prayer with God and reading His Word, we can find direction, strength and hope in dealing with hardships. Sharing and talking with others who have experienced similar pain also is comforting.  When i lost my mother, i found living my life in a way to honor her helpful.  It didn't bring her back physically, but it emotionally put her in a healthy, wonderful place in my heart. 

Are you hurting?  It's easy to stay in the pit of hurt or anger, but you don't have to. I pray in time with God, you allow Him to fill your heart with peace and guidance, as only He can.  

Times does not heal, Truth heals.  Thank You, Father.

have a truth-filled day!
veneal

are you being rained on?

"Finally, brothers/sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Three weeks and still going strong.  No, i'm not referring to the energizer battery, but all the rain and storms.  And, it appears more are still ahead. Is so much rain ever good? It feels like the washing of a lifetime!

Could this signal the need for a washing of our souls more than our land?  Are there hidden secrets, dirt or ugliness the Father wants to remove for us?  Are our thoughts and motives selfless and pure?

Father, Our lands truly thirst for Your healing reign. We are still surrounded by droughts of love, care, and kindness to others. We want to be true and acceptable in Your sight.  Please keep reigning over our thoughts, words and actions. 

have a watch-filled day!
veneal

where are you??

The Lord says...
"at the time it happens, I am there." Isaiah  48:16


No more needs to be said... except, thank You, Father.

have a peace-filled day!
veneal