Practice Makes Perfect

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

written during Hurricane Season 2006:
When tropical storm Alberto formed in 2006, I thought it would be a good time for a practice drill to be sure we have our hurricane preparedness plan at home working. I asked Jim to show me how to work our new shutters which all we needed to do was close, pack and leave. I like the sound of that, don’t you? Anyways, we pulled the shutters together, easy, easy, easy and then I asked, why is there a lock on the handles? He said, because you need a key and then I asked, where is the key? He looked at me as if to say, I thought you had it. When you have been married as many years as we have, you don’t have to speak because a “look” speaks volumes. I looked back at him and I said, "No, I don’t have the key so where do you think it might be?" Oh brother, we failed miserably our first hurricane practice drill and a few weeks later when the next tropical storm formed we still had no key. 

My life is a lot like this story, I can have a plan on how I think it should be but if the main "key" is missing then I am left feeling stressed instead. I personally always make the mistake of trying to plan my own life because I become so wise in my own eyes. Then I realize when I can’t get it right that I just need to stop looking to myself but instead look to my Heavenly Father. 

We had to have new keys made for our shutters so hopefully the next practice drill will be smoother.....

This picture was taken at "Vizcaya" when we visited in 2012. 

There is Nothing to Fear!

Psalm 91:4-5 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flight by day.

I call news channels that are constantly trying to put fear into everyone especially those that talk up one political party and not both - news porn. I heard that somewhere and it has stuck with me. I refuse to watch any of that because I don't want them to get into my head and ruin my day. I usually get my news from comedians who are now doing podcasts and everything about world news makes it into their material. It's easier for me to handle and I can actually enjoy my day and my life. Otherwise, I might end up like Chicken Little screaming the "sky is falling" everywhere I go! 

These verses tell us that no matter what happens here on earth that God is a shield for us. We can trust His faithfulness in our lives in every situation that comes. Like an eagle covers her chicks, God covers us. We have nothing to fear because God is watching over us and will rescue us from danger. 

This picture was taken during a sunset at Evangola State Park in Upstate New York. One of our favorite places to camp on Lake Erie.

Love Languages by Tracey!

written by Tracey Schultz Graham:
I could't sleep last night so what do you do when you can't sleep? You start a project. Mine was trying to figure out what to do with a box that I had yet to unpack - a box filled with books. I really need to invest in a bookcase but I can't seem to narrow it down on all the ones I find on Pinterest. Oops, I seemed to have admitted my addictions. Books & Pinterest (ok that's a whole other story). Anyways, as I was going through my books I came across a book that was written by Gary Chapman called, "The Five Love Languages."

According to this book, it tells you what your one emotional love language is. On a rare instance, a person may have two - guess who has two? Okay so I rarely follow the rules and never color inside the lines. What can I say? As I opened the book, skimmed through the pages, I saw right there in black and white my two love languages. Words of affirmation and quality time. I started thinking obviously these are my needs, my desires that I require to make a relationship work. Then I thought about God and if He is first in my life was I meeting His needs and His desires? In other words, does God have any "Love Languages?"

I love how God is faithful and answers in our quiet time if we just listen and meditate on Him. We always think of God as strong, powerful, almighty, not needing us, not wanting to be desired by us but the truth is that the Bible is a love story between God and His people. The most important thing we will ever learn about God is He desires a relationship with us!

John 17:3 says that they may know you, the only true God.

Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you search with all your heart."

That verse says to me that he wants me to pursue him. That God waits to be wanted. He doesn't want a "part time" relationship with us. He wants "Quality Time." God desires to share a life of beauty, intimacy & friendship with us. God also wants "Words of Affirmation" or Praise/Worship/Thankfulness.

Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always; Again, I will say, Rejoice!"

I Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Giving God Praise, Worship & Thankfulness is so important because it increases our intimacy with him. I always knew about God ever since I was a little girl but I didn't know God. We don't really know God until we step out on his word & have experiences with him and see his faithfulness.

God thank you for letting me see your "love languages" and remove anything or anyone that keeps me from you. Amen!!