quiet moments

I've had some slow-down opportunities lately, mainly with my grand-babies,
but also long prayers that turn into begging as I ask the Lord to reveal His will to me constantly...
I stood watching the rain today and was so thankful for all the Lord has given us understanding that it's not by our own hands.

Slowing down...taking it in.

One precious slow-down day I had recently was when Trinity was with us and we decided to try to get some flowers planted and various tasks done.

Anyone that works with a 5-yr old knows nothing happens fast, so it allowed me to sit and watch, and listen and wait, while I watched her work so hard and try new things.

Grandpas mulch assistant

mixing several kinds of bird seed together

working with the soil

And of course the only possible ending to such a day is bath time!

We worked outside all day, enjoying one another, thankful for quiet family times and hoping this would be an annual event - cherishing it all so much! And next year we hope to enjoy all 3 grand-babies working with us - we missed Oliver and Margot who were on vacation!

Fancy accomplishments mean little compared to life forming quiet talks and intention time given.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

this is the day...

Psalm 118:24(ESV)

24 This is the day that the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

This verse was on my heart this morning as I woke up to the perfect day.

Snow outside - 

Beautiful sunshine streaming through all our windows - 

And most importantly, a day at home!

As I thanked the Lord for this rare opportunity, I wondered something....

If this day hadn't started so wonderfully, if I was facing a difficult decision or crisis, would I still have had this verse on my heart?   Would my day have begun with thanking and praising the Lord?

I couldn't answer yes for sure.

The thing I DO know, is that God accepted my morning praise and our communion has continued today.  This hasn't however only included praise - although I've continued to be still  and I'm listening and praising - He's brought to mind forgiveness that needs to happen, things that need to change while at the same time a renewed sense of unconditional love floods my soul.

He is good all the time.

It is OUR choices that cause our day to seem anything less than a day 'we can rejoice and be glad in'...

Our choice to complain

Our choice to be jealous

Our choice to misunderstand suffering

Our choice to harbor unforgiveness choosing instead to remain wallowing in feeling sorry for ourselves and the way we were mistreated

God created THIS day - let us rejoice and be glad in it..

This is the day...

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I have no idea why, but, I woke up with this on my heart today.  As I walked outside to sit down, it ran over and over in my mind.


Is it prophetic?   Is something bad going to happen, I wondered?  Is it simply a reminder that 'all good things come from the Lord'?  Am I going to have an opportunity to encourage someone else?

MY schedule doesn't look that difficult today, so I'm not feeling any stress - my house is in order - just mostly re-reading old emails and catching up on the details of coming events to make sure I'm on schedule.

So what is this from the Lord...

It doesn't matter, I rest in Him.

And, I couldn't be more thankful for His never ending love and grace, and for surrounding me with yet another day here on earth - hopefully to make a difference, but, again- content just to be IN Him...

THIS is the day.