A Different Path

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. Exodus 13:17a

As children we begin to dream or plan of what we want to be when we grow up. When I was young I believed that I would be a missionary in some far away country leading people to Christ and a better life. I never saw myself married or having children. Instead I have been married, divorced, re-married with 4 children and going on 11 grand~kids. I have served in ministry since the age of 21 here in South Florida and to some people this is a far away country. God had a different plan for my life and it is not at all the plan I was making in my head. 

When I read the passages of scripture in Exodus it reminds me that God controls our destiny as He did the destiny of the Israeli nation. Life brings us things that we do not always understand what the purpose is in our lives and the lives of those around us. This is where our faith comes in and we must trust God in what He is doing. 

Everything God does in our lives is about His Kingdom so I have learned not to take it personally when my life takes a different path. There are many things I did not plan such as dealing with alcoholism and drug addiction. This is an area of difficulty for me to watch family and friends who are ruining their lives with their addictions. I used to believe I had all the spiritual answers to assist them to change their behavior only to be disappointed. I now realize I can't change anyone not even myself but I can continue to pray for them and help when they ask.

 

An unplanned route will often strengthen your faith!

 

A Different Lens

Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.  Exodus 23:2

The reason we have conflict with one another is because we see things so very differently. We pick up our views of life from our daily surroundings. A lot of people make their moral choices more from feelings than from what is right. My biggest fear as a mother were the friends my children would surround themselves with each day. The world views and goals of others will dictate our children's path and every parent has that to deal with in their own children.

Our children are surrounded with people who have their own brokenness, bitterness, abuse, etc. and the lens view continues to change in a greater way. One person can be around negative behaviors, soak it up like a sponge and behave contrary to what they have been taught. Another person could be around the same negative behavior and will use it as a tool or example of what they do not want for their own behavior and life. It's a choice, so choose wisely!

 This picture was taken of the side of a building where they 

painted people and animals that looked very real in Stuart Florida, 2010.

Love is A Verb

My mom took this picture of people dancing when she was visiting Paris, France in 2010. The butterfly is a picture my niece took when we visited Canada together. The background is a painting I did with left over scraps of project fabrics and papers with acrylic paints. The floral embellishment is from a picture of my sheets that I cut out. In the words of Romero Britto, Art is too important not to share!