Amazing Grace

I got back yesterday afternoon from an amazing adventure. I had the privilege of being part of a team that taught a retreat in Delaware this past Saturday. The theme was "Going Deeper with God" I taught on visual journaling and how God can use it in our lives to speak to our hearts. Lectio Divina (divine reading - reading with the heart) reading to hear what God is saying to us, was shared, as well as Solitude, (which is not the same thing as just being alone) The ladies then had a chance to create a journal page from what they were hearing from God.

First, I was blown away with the number God brought to the retreat. We expected around 30 or so women. God had a different number in mind. He brought 80!!!! Second, and I love this, some of the women really wondered why they were there. Some were thinking they really did not want to do this. God began to move and hearts were touched!!!

I think as women - no - not just women. I think we all do not take the time needed to be still before God. To take the time to explore our hearts. To look at the ways that the living of this life, with all the darts and arrows directed at our hearts affects us in the living of it. It is easier to stuff it all down deep and not think about it. But the stuffing usually begins to come out through little tears - or big rips when we least expect it. "To deny the pain is to hold on to it" it does not heal. God wants to heal our hearts, He is in the process of restoring our hearts, restoring us. He longs for the opportunity to do so. He is waiting for us to come to Him.

I am still processing the whole thing, God spoke to me too during the retreat. I am so thankful for even the hard things, because God has a way of turning them around and making something beautiful out of them. Not that the hard things are beautiful, they are not, but in God's hands they can be transformed.

Blessings!!

Connecting the Dots

Last Sunday my pastor reminded me again that my past, your past and all our yesterdays are the building blocks of God's continual redemption of our lives. He said, "God is writing a story, a book, with your name on it." He quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson, "The years teach much that the day never knows." I love that quote. Events that I thought were random and seemingly not connected were. As I look back at the chapters in my life I see how those events and circumstances were part of the bigger picture. It is helpful to me, especially during difficult times, to know that God is working and using everything for my good. My pastor also said, "The more we see the dots connect in the past, the quicker we begin to see the dots and plots of our story in the present."

Blessings to you all, and may we begin to see and connect our dots!!

I make mistakes, but not God

In my previous post I mentioned that Debra (n2theblue) asked me about a song. Well, I just re-read her post. I totally got the title wrong. But I know in my doing so I was led to something God wanted me to see. Nothing is wasted by God. Now Debra, I have to go find the song you were really talking about!! :) Thanks again. I will be twice blessed!!!

Step by Step

Debra from n2theblue left a message on my post the other day. She asked if I had heard the song by Rich Mullins titled Step By Step. I thought I had, but really did not remember the words till I found it and listened to it again. What a good reminder to me and to all of us. Our walk with God is step by step.

"I will seek you in the morning,
and
I will learn to walk in your ways
and
step by step you will lead me
and
I'll follow you all of my days."

Notice the order. First I will seek, second I will learn, thirdly God will lead, and fourth I will follow. Now I know this is what it takes, but sometimes I need a gentle reminder. Thank you Debra!!!

Blessings!

Awe, my sweet big sister thinks I'm just Peachy!!! :) Thank you Bev, I love you

http://italiangirlingeorgia.blogspot.com/
I spied this darling little Peachy award and thought I have to share that with my dear sweet sister who lives in GA and is sure a Peach to me!!!
Thanks Suzanne for allowing me to take this award and give it to Mary.

Well I have been wishing for snow!!!!!

I really have been wishing for snow. Just one good snow storm. We have not had one in years.
It began with rain, lots of rain. As I have mentioned before I live in a very old house (160 yrs+)
Our hot water tank, and furnace is located in our root cellar (yes I have a root cellar) It is a pain to get to!!! When it rains a lot like it has for the past few days it floods and our pilot light usually goes out - no hot water!! The long wanted snow began yesterday mid-morning. YEA!!!!! Well as the day progressed it got colder and colder inside. We finally realized the heat had not come on in some time. Luckily we have a service contract with out heating company and they came out last night to check. Of course the water blew out the circuit board!!!! So I woke up to 51 degrees in the house, and most of the lovely snow GONE!!!!!!! I thought, I'll jump in a hot shower!!! Nope, NO HOT WATER!!!!! Well a cool shower is invigorating right??? Wrong!!!! Now I am bundled up and waiting for our furnace to be repaired - he's here now. YEA!!!

I still want snow!!!!

Blessings to you all and keep warm!