barefoot is better

I've been thinking
What does omnipresence have to do with my life?
Do I live as though God were near?
Do I pray as though He is holding my hand?
Do I act and speak as though He is standing in front of me?
truthfully no
but why is this so?
I know that God is near - present - close at hand
and yet I wallow in worry, give in to grumbling, sink into self-centeredness
I disregard my Creator

I want this to change
while I pray for awareness of presence and alertness to Spirit
I know that I can do more

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

 The Lord is near

therefore I should rejoice

therefore I should let peace guard my heart

therefore I should think on these things

This is the plan, to invite God's presence into my life by focusing on one of these attributes a week

And writing about what God reveals in His presence, both because I process with words and to ask you to keep me accountable.

The burning bush said

~Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground

let the barefooted adventures begin

Joining with Emily and others at Imperfect Prose, a place for barefeet and broken bread

wearing giraffe ears to the glory of God

two little words
seven letters of peace
why does God say "Fear not"
when there seems to be oh so much to fear?
He is Creator, holy and mighty, infinite in power
I am creature, broken, full of sin, weak
and yet He says "Fear Not"
The mountains crumble
Evil men prosper
all seems lost
and yet He says "Fear Not"

fear not, for I am with you;
   be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
or I, the LORD your God,
   hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, "Fear not,
   I am the one who helps you." 
But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,
   he who formed you, O Israel:
 Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine. 
Fear not, stand firm, 
and see the salvation of the LORD, 
which he will work for you today.
For the Egyptians whom you see today, 
you shall never see again. 
Fear not, for behold, 
I bring you good news of great joy 
that will be for all the people. 

I heard once that giraffes are fearless...their kicks can kill lions...and so they have no natural predators...I long to be a giraffe...to fear not...and so I wear my giraffe ears to the glory of God...because my God is good and because my Father loves me and love casts out fear

Linking up with Imperfect Prose, a community built in brokenness

Wo(-man)

In this season of intention and careful thought some topics have bubbled up and risen to the top of my heart like water just about to simmer.  One of the topics is what woman without man?
Growing up churched, covenant child that I am, I know the verses about what women should be....genesis woman-a helper made for man, bone of bone and flesh of flesh to be a custom made companion; proverbs 31 woman-a godly wife, careful homemaker, wise and loving mother bringing honor to her head of house, called blessed by children. And as I grew, no longer child, welcomed into sisterhood of women in the church...conferences, retreats, bible studies, even small talk around the coffee pot all center around this role-faithful wife, wise and loving mother.
All these good and Godly truths have got me confused and on my knees....please, how do this living as woman single?  If woman was made to be a helper and companion, what do I do without a companion to help?  How do I live faithfully as I was created, when what I was created for is just not an option right now?    I have to believe that there is more to this wo(-man) thing than waiting and wishing and hoping and hearing "o it will happen for you soon." 
Singleness whether for a season or for life is God's best for me right now...i know this because He is sovereign and fully capable of changing the situation and because I know that He loves even more deeply then I can begin to imagine.  Knowing all of this does not answer my questions or take away this aching hunger to live this role of helper-companion, but it does give me peace to not let it keep me up most nights.

Linking my brokeness with Emily today over at Imperfect Prose

Re-grouping

Winter snow and filtered light, biting cold and longer nights all seem to pull me in close to hearth and home.  Hibernation feels good and rest seems to lead to reflection.  Perhaps this is why we make resolutions this time of year.  And so with another year behind me and cold winds keeping me from staying outside, I let the reflection begin....
Last year was a year of flying by the seat of my pants and floating with the wind, changes came in fast and hard and for the most part I kept my head above water, by the grace of God.  It is by His grace that many of the "good ideas" I had seemed to prosper and the not-so-good ideas didn't sting as badly as they could have.  Gazing at the mirror and seeing the reflection of the last year I can see God's fingerprints and gentle nudges keeping me from falling off the cliffs I would get myself onto.  God is so good and has given me oh so much more than I deserve.  Glorious sunsets, smiling faces, laughing hearts, heart-tugging chats, encouraging words, healthy family, answered prayers, lapping ocean waves, and consistent employment are all blessings that I recognize as the work of God alone.
With reflection, comes re-grouping and re-thinking, planning for the year to come.  My prayer for this year is that I live it more intentionally.  I want to pursue God more consistently and thoughtfully; to use and grow my gifts more intentionally; and write and create more regularly; and to live more peacefully. 
God has given me much and I want to do much with it.  Looking back I feel like with the spontaneity came waste.  Not enough waste to discount the lessons learned or blessings received, just enough to make me ponder...what could I have done if I had not wasted my time or talent or treasure.
Praise God that He is in control and not me!

Linking up with Emily and others at Imperfect Prose