a spoonful of sugar

 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

Her words were like sugar and brought healing to my soul. It was just the dose of kindness i needed... an unexpected compliment, from an unexpected person at the perfect time.  It soothed the hurt felt by the neglect of another.

All around us, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family are in need of sweet encouragement and healing. Sometimes we need to give it, and sometimes we need to receive it.

Father, help us stay sensitive to You and Your nudging. We are grateful for the opportunity to dish it out, as well as, for the opportunity to accept a spoonful of kindness too. Thank you for sweet angels.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

bless you

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

Spring is finally here.  I am not a fan of dull gray skies, bare trees and frigid temperatures. But spring does not blossom without its shortcomings too.  Pollen wreaks havoc with all ages, and rain boots are a constant companion for the feet.  

But even with its drawbacks, spring provides us with much to celebrate. After all, we can't have the beauty of new life, lush green trees and brilliant flowers without some misery... like a rise of allergies and illnesses due to an increase of pollen, possible destruction caused by high winds or tornados, and disease-ridden insects affecting fruits and veggies.

Happy is the heart that can still rejoice in the midst of tough times... because God is still good. He has the power to bring excellence even out of hard, trying times. 

Love where you are because God is there -- no matter the season.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

open wide

 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt/(out of your bondage).  Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." Psalm 81:10

Trusting the One who has the power and desire to free us from everything that attempts to choke the life out of us.  There is nothing more satisfying or sweeter to our lips than Him and His Word.

Thank You, Father.

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

i give up

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Unexpected changes and future uncertainties are a rich breeding ground for worry. And i am wobbling knee-high in a pile of worry-weeds.  But the Good News is it actually assisted me in deciding what to give up for Lent.  

This year i committed to give up worry. I choose to consciously pull out the doubts of my heart and turn them over to God.  This has aided me in keeping God in the forefront in my mind and heart every hour, every minute.  

One important purpose of Lent is to give up something that causes us to depend and focus more on God.  I can honestly say by doing so, i feel an increase of His Peace.  I have no answers or solutions to my circumstances, but growing trust in God.  He has this for Lent... and for my entire life.

God hath not promised skies ever blue,

Flower-strewn pathways always for you.

God hath not promised Sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain;

But He hath promised strength from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying Love.

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

i wonder...

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” – Psalm 24:1

I wonder, why did God create the sloth and the porcupine?  The sloth moves painfully too slow and burns up my patience.  And the porcupine, well he just sticks me in the wrong ways.  I know people like them.  Do you?

God created all critters for a reason... and humans too.  We don't have to like them or what they represent, BUT maybe there is something we can gleam from them, grow, mature and even become more Christlike.  Don't you possibly expect that's true?  God uses all... the good, the bad and the ugly. The longer I live, the more i believe it's true.

“For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.”

Father, You have a plan, and it is good.  Grow my trust and faith in You. May i not ignore, misuse or neglect the work you have for me.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

lean on...

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and  he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Lean on God...

When we lean on God, He holds us up through all our rumblings and shaky ups and downs.  He is our One Firm Foundation.  We don't have to understand how, just BELIEVE and TRUST Him.

As believers, we possess a leaning tower of Power with God.

Thank You, Father.

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal

i see You

 "DO  some  most  part  half  your portion  what you want  what's fair EVERYTHING without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the Word of Life..." Philippians 2:14-15

When we live knowing and accepting  

life is...
not about fairness, but righteousness
not about our way, but God's way 
not about conquering, but surrendering to God
not about independence, but dependence on God
not about our glory, but His...

His Peace becomes ours, shining for others to see where to find Hope.  

Father, direct my ways.  I want others to see and know You through my words and actions.  

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love and do like we believe it,

veneal