Who Are You Listening To?

I have amazing friends.

I have known this. It is not news. Yet, last week, I was overwhelmed with love surrounding me as I celebrated my birthday. I spent the week looking around me feeling loved by so many: so many well wishes, cards, laughter, hugs - all for me in celebration.

So, how is it that one negative a few days later can seem to negate all the positive?

Why do we listen mostly to those things which tear us down?

Yesterday = Bad. Day.

In my work.

In my personal life.

In my family.

Across the board - yuck.

Bad memories resurfaced.

Accusations accosted.

Lies told.

Justifications made.

I sat on my porch this morning, unable to utter words to the Great Love. Just sitting in silence watching the world awaken and trying to soak in a droplet of Grace.

And He read my mind. He read my heart.

And He reminded me...

...of truth:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."~Ps 139:13-14

' “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.' ~2 Cor. 12:9

"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." ~Phil 1:4-6

I know who I am. I know who God is molding me into being. I know what He's brought me through. I know how He has changed me.

And I will not let one negative (and false, mind you) accusation negate all the good - all the truth - stemming from God in my life.

I will not listen to the lies. I will not listen to the Accuser. I will not be torn down.

I will sit, soaking up a downpour of Grace, and remember the One who has written my name on the palms of His hands. (Isa. 49:16)

Because He loves me.

And that is all I need to know.

A New

New...

New poofy white blooms on the Bradford Pear trees next door.

New bird babies consuming the air with the melody of morning.

New tiny specks of deep purple peeking out from the Redbud branches.

New deep green blades of grass emerging.

New aroma of lemon as the purging of winter dust begins.

New moments to breathe in fresh air.

New seasons of ball.

New sandals.

New...

Beginnings:

To open your eyes to the Creation around you.

To pull weeds.

To forgive.

To dive in to Grace.

To create a better 'you'

New Air.

New Life.

New Dawn.

Close your eyes.

Inhale deeply.

Soak in the new, warm sun.

And breathe in...

The New.

Mission

Today is my Birthday.

There is something about special days.

Milestones.

Markers in life.

And don't even think these momentous days go unnoticed by God. Yes, every day is created by Him and therefore a gift in and of itself. But, special events and occasions are special to Him as well. Just review the significance of the Passover, Feasts and Celebrations. You'll see that our God is a celebratory and occasion-honoring God.

I spent this morning doing my very favorite things:

Coffee

Front Porch

Morning Chat with my Great Love

And I thought about my life and what God has brought me through. Where He is leading and His calling on me. Honestly, not very different from any other day. I listened to His gentle reminding that while it is good for me to spread grace to the world around me, I need to accept His in my own walk a little more. And I renewed my commitment and deepest desire to live my life with one mission...

I have one goal.

I have one desire.

Truly.

I want everyone I know, meet, experience a moment in this life with - to

Know. God's. Love.

And, as you walk alongside me, I give you full permission to remind of this when those moments come that I am not walking in Love. Hold me accountable.

My prayer.

My goal.

My ultimate desire.

That you may know...

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." ~Eph 3:14-19

To know this Love.

It is Life-Changing

DNA-Altering

World-Transforming

It is Power.

So, as I prance around, tiara and all, celebrating today...may I slosh God's Love on all around me.

May you feel it. Be sloshed upon.

And slosh back...