listen or ignore

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3

A friend didn't have time to get a slice of celebration cake, so i decided to take her a slice the next day.  As i was closing the lid, a little voice said to me, "take 2 slices."  But i ignored it, thinking, no, i don't need another slice.  Well, it wasn't about me.

When i went to deliver the cake to Mary, i saw exactly why i should have listened to that persistent little voice.  A very special friend was in there subbing. MM has treated me so many times, and to share a slice of cake with her would have been perfect.  

Thinking i would bring her a slice later in the week made me feel better.  But when i returned home after school the cake plate, like my hand, was empty. A good and sad reminder to never put off an act of kindness.

The next time i hear a voice, instead of thinking it's about or for me, i hope i realize it could be for the benefit of another.

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal

keep shining

 "and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame."  Isaiah 58:10-11

Bless someone today who isn't expecting it.

Open hearts open new beginnings. And healing happens.  

Your love and kindness to one has the power to spreads exponentially.  Keep shining, our world desperately needs you.

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

did you remember?

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You." Isaiah 26:3

As eager as i've been for a new season, i totally missed the fact yesterday was the first official day of Spring. It was plainly written on my calendar, it occurs every year at this time, but due to the cold days lately, it never connected with my brain. Only when i heard someone say it, did i realize it.

Like the first day of Spring, we may not see or feel what we yearn and pray for in life. However, let us believe and know God hears our every plea and answers perfectly, whether we see or feel it at the moment.

Father, create in me a renewed heart filled with hope, joy, beauty and restoration. As i trust You are leading me out of a cold weariness and into the warmth of Your love and grace, may i respond with the JOY of believing it today.

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal

a moving day

"Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness  and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

It was a coming and going day.  To an observer it was a perfect schedule.  But in actuality the timing of the events just fell into place without our help.  We received new chairs from our vendor during our break, and our school's Operation team arrived just 10 minutes later to pick up the old ones.  We could not have planned it any better. 

When the parts in your life are moving what do you do?  Panic... search immediately for solutions... call a friend for help... sit down and cry... pout... stomp in anger... freeze in fear... kick and scream in disbelief?

Maybe sometimes we need to just to breathe and keep moving.  Maybe it's about trusting God to pull the parts back together in our life without us interfering.... to remove what is old, dirty, smelly and ugly and to replace it with a newness to our soul, restored hope, refreshed spirit and sweet comfort to our days.

When your world is shaking, God is moving. All the pieces of our life are in His capable Hands.  He is not unaware nor lost, forgotten or misplaced anything that touches us.  He has a perfect plan.  Do you trust Him?

And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh..." Ezekiel 11:19

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal

free in green

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Wearing the green... eating party food... dancing the jig... is that all there is to St. Patrick's Day?  Not at all.

The roots of St. Patrick's Day stem from a British Christian child, kidnapped and kept in slavery in Ireland. Lonely and afraid, he turned to his religion for solace, becoming a devout Christian. After he finally escaped,  he dreamed of an angel telling him to returned to care for the Irish people and teach them about God, so after 15 years of religious training, he returned as a missionary. Due to his dedicated kindness, he later became St. Patrick.  Since his death, around March 17th, there is a Roman Catholic feast day of St. Patrick to honor him.

• Here's a short history lesson and  2-minute video from the History Channel you can show in class.   https://www.history.com/topics/st-patricks-day/who-was-saint-patrick

Did you know the shamrock got its Christian meaning from St. Patrick? He used it to explain the Holy Trinity, one God in three divine beings, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Whatever we feel enslaved to in life, God can grant us the freedom to overcome it in His love and strength.

In the spirit of Saint Patrick, may we continue to live, share and tell others the Good News as he did.  It certainly is worthy of great celebration!

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal 

so, how lucky are we??

 "Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:14

When we think, act and  live as a child of God, we relish in everlasting luck.  The absolute best news EVER is our pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is a home in the kingdom of heaven.  We aren't just lucky, we are richly blessed by our Father.

Live as a child... of God, because you are.

 

May we be thankful for nourishment, protection and love from God and others.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

How sweet it is to be a child of God. Smile big, you lucky Child, you are treasured and loved beyond our human understanding.

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal

what makes you lucky?

"Even a child makes himself known by his acts..." Proverbs 20:11

When we train children on how to be, may we remember to live it too.

Living as God desires and in His Will, His peace transcends through the bumps we encounter.  We become a witness to others reflecting the power of His sustaining love.  Oh how lucky we are to belong to God.

Act like a child... of God, because you are.

  

The appreciation and JOY of simple pleasures and friendships... that's the gold.  I am so lucky and blessed to call you my kind friend.

we are loved and chosen by God,

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

veneal