We recently traveled to VA for my sweet niece’s wedding = Road Trip!
You know what that means: Snack time!
But snacks only last so long…when would we stop for a meal?

Well, it just so happens that my husband and I listened to a sermon that day – about worry. God clearly tells us not to worry about what we will eat or drink.
Was I worried about lunch? Absolutely not.
Let’s just say….I wondereddddddd about when we would stop for lunch! 🙂

What else do I wonder….?
After an amazing family weekend like we just had, I wonder at God’s grace! His generosity! His goodness!

“I meditate on all that Y​ou have done; I ponder the work of Your hands.” Psalm 143:5

How was your day today?
Has it been a long week/month/year?
Or a fast one?
Be careful: Our Todays VERY quickly become Yesterdays.

This great group of people in this photo used to spend every summer evening together singing, dancing and enjoying the company of tremendous talent and leadership! It all started 50 years ago! 50 years!? Where did the time go?

One day at a time.
One choice at a time.
God knitting and weaving us together through times shared.

Who are your people?
Where do you feel accepted and known?
Find your people TODAY before it is Yesterday!

“Two are better than one…But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9,10

My mom always judged food, movies and events by SW or NW: So Worth it…or Not Worth it. Bad dessert? NW! Phenomenal ice cream? SW! A movie that lasted longer than 10 minutes? NW! LOL! Time with her family? ALWAYS SSSSSW!!!

Gas prices have skyrocketed lately! Over $4.50 per gallon! That may feel Not Worth it to some, but many still feel it is So Worth it to pay the price. Have you ever considered the price per gallon of other items in your life? So Worth it? Or Not?

Chain store coffee: $40-50 per gallon
Vanilla Extract: $380 per gallon
Eye Drops: $1,500 per gallon
Printer Ink: Over $5,000 per gallon!

Just imagine: Jesus was on the cross, taking on your sins. He took a breath and said:

 So VERY Worth it!

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

What mountain lurks before you, immovable, impassable, unyielding!? Is it financial? Relational? Logistical? Physical? Does it keep you up at night fretting and dwelling, “I cannot take it ANYMORE! I canNOT do this!”

PERFECT! That’s right where God wants to come alongside you and provide for you in unusual ways! The battle belongs to the Lord! He is beside you and within you, ready to be released! Don’t try to figure it all out! Fix your eyes on the only One who can!

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” 2 Chronicles 20:12

Have you ever yearned for “normal”? Longed for “when things return to usual”?

Normal is overrated. AND unattainable.

We had the wonderful opportunity to gather last weekend to celebrate our niece and her fiance with a bridal shower. Travel across the state with 4 young grandchildren? Sure! Finish unpacking the car just moments before a torrential thunderstorm rolls through the area? Yep! And get home 2 days later, exhausted yet totally fulfilled? Amen!

And somewhere in the hustle and bustle, the comfort of family settles in. Reuniting with siblings is such a gift in this crazy mixed up world. Am I saying that my family is normal? Nope! But I thank God for them!

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

Do you ever get tired of everyone just thinking of themselves all the time? It just makes you so furious that you stew and grumble and sigh in disgust of how self-centered people drive and shop and talk? It is really such a pain! Annoying! Those people don’t understand how important it is to stop thinking about their own comfort and think…. about….others…..! The opposite of what you were just doing!

I speak from experience! I ride the hamster wheel of worrying about everyone else and neglect caring for and controlling my own thoughts. Let’s go back to the 1990s…WWJD?

“take every thought captive to obey Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
“if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things” Philippians 4:8

What’s your favorite smell: Fresh brewed coffee? New car or new carpet smell? Or baby fresh?

Did you ever think about it – you know when you are near the source. Roasted garlic on a pizza greets you the minute you walk in the restaurant! Walking the halls of your old school brings back a flood of memories. And, OK I’ll say it, pumpkin spice hugs you like an old friend!

Is that what your relationship with the Lord feels like? Can you sense that He is near? What kind of aroma of Christ do you display?

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” Ephesians 5:8

Diet, decluttering or downsizing….Which mood or season of life are you in?

Minimalism is trending. Clean out the stuff, visually, physically, digitally, etc and make some breathing room so that you can more fully experience life.

In God’s economy, He wants less, too.

Less of us.

More of Him.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.” I Peter 5:6

No, I’m not talking about the freezing temperatures at the restaurant or in your office. I’m talking about freezing time! This is it! The lazy days of summer are here and clingggggging on by a thread: Long days at the pool or the beach, bountiful gardens and beautiful bouquets, sleeping in or sleeping out, a week away or a day away and much much more!

And don’t forget each and every bug or drop of humidity or thunderstorm!

We are so blessed to live in an area where we can experience all the seasons – but we can’t contain them! Let’s savor them while we have them!

And let’s thank and praise God for being the Creator of them all!

What is one of your favorite moments of summer?

“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” Psalm 24:1

What is your current internet speed?
What is your current productivity speed?
What is your current trust in the Lord speed?

Which is better in our walk with the Lord? Fast or slow? I think both!

The word “quick” is used over 75 times in the Bible. First use: Genesis and last use: Revelation. We must be quick to follow Jesus, quick to forgive and quick to listen.

On the other hand, the word “wait” or “slow” or “dwell” is used over 600 times! God dwells with us, He promises us to dwell in a peaceful place and He is slow to anger.

Reset your operating system and wait for the Lord’s speed.

“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14